Hollands And Blair Almost There - Bridon Ropes vs Hollands And Blair

Match action with The Meridian Sports Club in the background

After a couple of long journeys over the Easter break, I fancied a much shorter trip on Monday. After being impressed with my games in The Kent Invicita League this season, I made the short trip to Charlton for Bridon Ropes versus Hollands and Blair. As the names suggest this was a game between two clubs who had begun life as works teams. The visitors were nine points ahead of second placed Lydd Town and with just three games left after this one and with a vastly superior goal difference, a win today would practically seal the title. I'd seen Hollands and Blair in the opening weeks of the season at Invicita new boys Sheppy United and they won two nil on that day. Bridon Ropes were involved in the first game I saw in The Invicita League when I watched them away at Eltham Palace a couple of Easters ago. 

Kick off at The Meridian Sports Club

Bridon take the game to Hollands and Blair right from the off but despite their pressing, they fail to create any serious chances. Their first half chance comes when the forward is almost played but the Hollands defender is just able to intervene. Another half chance comes when the Bridon attacker has his shot blocked following a good passing move. Hollands' first attempt on goal is a looping header at the back post which doesn't cause the home goalie any problems. The visitors take the lead shortly afterwards with their real shot on a goal. A cross to the back post is cleared towards the penalty spot and the forward nips in to put his side one up. This knocks the wind out of Bridon sails a little and the Hollands winger goes on a good run before his drilled cross is headed away. From a Hollands corner shortly afterwards, the home keeper makes a great save from a close range header. The visitors add a second goal just before half time to move them closer to the title.

The Bridon Ropes keeper saves this close range header

Bridon have the first set piece of the second half but the Hollands keeper comfortably claims the corner. Hollands then get to the byline and the pull back finds the forward who hits the post from close range. The visitors further increase their lead when the attacker heads the ball back across the keeper into the far corner following a cross from deep. Hollands are now looking for the kill and the striker can only find the side netting when found in the area. Bridon's best chance of the match comes when after a quick break out of defence, the right winger finds himself in space at the back post but he loses his composure and puts the ball high and wide. The game becomes very scrappy in the end and Hollands add a fourth with a couple of minutes left. The Bridon keeper and defender think each other should deal with a long ball and this allows the forward to nip in and prod the ball home.

Tree lined dugout side of the ground

As there were engineering works over Easter, I caught the train to Charlton from Victoria but they normally depart from Cannon Street or Charing Cross with the journey taking twenty minutes. The Meridian Sports club is then a twenty minute walk up a fairly step hill. There is a good variety of pubs in Charlton to suit any mood. If you want a riverside drink with views of The O2 Arena and The Thames Barrier then The Anchor and Hope is the place to go. If you want to watch the early kick off then The Rose of Denmark is the pub for you. Although if Charlton Athletic are at home then this pub will be very, very busy. If you want get the hill out of the way before having a drink then The Bugle Horn on The Village does the job. The Meridian Sports is more than reasonable priced drinks wise and has lots of screens for any early kick offs.

Another shot of the stand with The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in the background