PEACEHAVEN SLIP TO FIRST REVERSE OF THE SEASON

had a bit of a bad day at the office as they suffered their first reverse of the season at home to Three Bridges.

Before the game, manager Shaun Saunders was upbeat after his side’s solid performance on Wednesday night after going a man down, but as the drizzle fell even he would have been disappointed at the way his team lost a match that really should have won.

The early part of the game was an even affair with Haven having a few chances that keeper Grant saved for the visitors. For the most part the first half was played in the middle of the park with occasional shots by both sides.

Just before half time the game came alive. On 37 minutes, McCreadie sprung the Bridges offside trap, but his shot just missed the top corner. In the next minute a series of pressure on the Haven goal saw Romain take the lead for the away team with a low shot. 0 – 1

A comical period for the home side saw four shots at the Bridges’ goal in 30 seconds which each being blocked, but the score remained in favour of the visitors as the teams left the pitch.

Despite Peacehaven now playing down the hill, it was Three Bridges who showed best early in the second half. Captain Carney was orchestrating the team from midfield with wide men Touray and Elliott a constant threat to Haven’s back four.

Sixteen minutes into the second half and Saunders introduced Walker from the bench who had an immediate impact. Within four minutes he had pulled two good saves from Grant with promising headers.

His third effort on 66 minutes draw applause from the home faithful as his header hit the net. 1 – 1.

Somewhat against the run of play, Carney let fly with a speculative shot that cannoned off Romain for 1 – 2 to Three Bridges.

From there, understandably the visitors shut up shop, but a break on 88 minutes saw Elliott extend their lead with a low shot to Di Bernado’s left hand corner. 1 – 3.

In reply on 89 minutes Cotton notched a late consolation for the home team.

Having had so much of the play, on another day Peacehaven would have won the game at a canter, but instead they allowed Three Bridges to repeatedly close them down, and force them into mistakes that ultimately lost them the game.

By Michael Burnage