Sunday saw Longbridge FC take on fellow cup finalists Northfield Hammers, after the mid-week cup final was postponed it was Longbridges turn to face them in the league only 11 points behind Longbridge with 3 games in hand today�s games wasn�t going to be easy.

The game started off fast with a few chances either end and it wasn�t long before Oli crossed the ball in from the right hand side to find Joe unmarked at the back past to smash hard into the back of the Northfield net 1-0 to the bridge, it wasn�t long after an Northfield found themselves back in the game with a goal which everybody was shocked about, the ball was played through to what seemed like Northfields only outlet there sticker Dave Kitson he rounded Tommo and slotted the ball into the empty net but this wasn�t before Ashley had raised his flag for offside which seemed clear the supporters on the side said at least 3 yards offside but shockingly the flag was ignored and the goal stood 1-1 Longbridge then began to panic on the ball giving it away easily and players getting caught out of position, but 10 minutes before half time Longbridge took the lead once again the ball bobbling around in Northfields penalty area before bouncing up for Alex to steam in a nod the ball into the bottom corner with his head. That�s the way the half ended 2-1 to the bridge.

At half time there was inspired change it wasn�t a substation change of formation or tactics but it was top goal scorer Kane changing his boots back to the legendary Puma�s that had seen him score 32 already this season, not long into the second half Longbridge increased there advantage goal number 2 for Joe he picked the ball up on the edge of the 18 yard box towards the left hand side with two players around him he couldn�t go anywhere so he pulled back his leg and struck an beauty across the keeper clipping the post on the far side of the goal before landing in the net. There was no looking back for Longbridge now as there began to push on that change at half time can into effect Kane first picking up the ball on the right hand side knocking it past the defender he burst into the box and slotted the ball underneath the keeper to make it 4-1 it was far from over though still at least half an hour remained, then a massive goal kick from Tommo seen the ball bounce over the Northfield back four the keeper came out to claim but he only got half way there before Kane lifted the ball over his head for his second goal of the day. Then it was turn of an unexpected goal scorer to get his first Longbridge goal I think it took him 5 seasons before doing so, it was a floated ball into the box from a corner unmarked at the back post was James Darby to volley the ball into the net the keeper helpless the Kane completed his hat-trick after a mix up between Northfields right back and goal keeper the ball was left unclaimed in the Penalty area in came Kane to take the ball between the two of them an rolled the ball into the empty net. At 7-1 Rusty and Ash entered the pitch after being on only a few minutes Rusty then made it 8-1 a cross field ball from left back Dave seen Rusty hit the ball first time across the keeper from just inside the penalty area the keeper got a hand to it but it tickled in the bottom corner, this had turned into a rout and there was still more to make it 9-1 Joe picked the ball up on the left hand side he had loads of time and space before drilling the ball past the keeper from just inside the area. Before the final whistle Northfield pulled a goal back after a blatant elbow in the back which knocked Mike off balance for the header the ball landed to the substitute Northfield sticker who rather luckily somehow scooped the ball over Tommo and into the net to make the final score 9-2.

Great win for the bridge which seen them remain in second place still only one point of top but pulling away in second and it is now becoming a two horse race for the league title. Also a great message to send out to Northfield with just over a month to the re-scheduled final.

Shaun Ryan