Bridon Ropes FC 2–2 Lewisham Borough FC

SCEFL Division One
Meridian Sports and Social Club
Saturday 13 December 2025 3pm KO

Bridon Ropes showed real character and resilience to come from two goals down to earn a dramatic 2–2 draw against Lewisham Borough at Meridian, with a late equaliser deep into stoppage time capping a strong second half response.

With a demanding midweek cup tie against Welling Town just days earlier, the management team opted to rest several players. The afternoon also marked a welcome first start since injury for Chris Dunphy, returning to action.

First half

Bridon began the match brightly and looked positive in possession, pressing Lewisham early and moving the ball well. That approach was rewarded on 30 minutes when Bridon were awarded a penalty following sustained pressure in the final third.

England Kurti stepped up and struck the spot kick low, but the Lewisham goalkeeper guessed correctly and produced a strong save.

Moments later the momentum swung the other way. A coming together involving Jamie Thuillier inside the Bridon penalty area was judged to be a foul, a decision that was met with bemusement from the home crowd.

On 41 minutes Carrera stepped up for Lewisham and struck the ball to Penney’s right. The Bridon keeper reacted well and got a hand to the effort, but the ball squeezed in off his fingertips to give the visitors a 1–0 lead.

Lewisham doubled their advantage in first half stoppage time. On 45 plus 1 minute Sineen drove powerfully into the box and finished low beyond Penney to make it 2–0 at the break.

Second half response

Changes at half time brought fresh energy and a clear shift in momentum. Bridon pressed higher up the pitch and began to dominate possession, with Taylor Fisher pulling the strings from a slightly deeper role.

Lewisham were increasingly pushed back and limited mainly to occasional counter attacks as Bridon created a number of chances.

The breakthrough came on 69 minutes when Olusegun Akinwunmi picked up the ball on the right wing, beat his marker and unleashed an early strike from outside the box. The shot caught the goalkeeper flat footed and flew into the net to reduce the deficit to 2–1.

Dramatic finale

Bridon continued to press and were rewarded during an extended period of stoppage time. With the referee adding ten minutes, substitute Harley Baker found space inside the penalty area and finished calmly to equalise on 90 plus 4 minutes.

Not satisfied with a point Bridon pushed forward again and had a strong shout for a penalty waved away in the 98th minute, bringing an end to an eventful afternoon.

Full time

Bridon Ropes FC 2
Akinwunmi 69 min
Baker 90+4 min

Lewisham Borough FC 2
Carrera pen 41 min
Sineen 45+1 min

Bridon Ropes squad

Albert Penney
Jamie Thuillier
Oscar Walton
Chris Dunphy
Jason Bye
Anthony Skordilis
Olusegun Akinwunmi
England Kurti
Taylor Fisher (C)
Samuel Sarpong
Adrian Brown

Substitutes
James Ogazi
Chandler Kasai
Harley Baker
Patrick Da Lomba
Stanley Mills