BOROUGHBRIDGE 2 ROTHWELL ATHLETIC 1
Quality goals from Marcus Philpott and Paul Eagling gave Bridge their fifth victory in seven outings to leave them needing one point from their last six games for safety. This result, however, seemed highly unlikely after an indifferent first half and even the most ardent of supporters could not raise much optimism about the eventual outcome. Rothwell, who have a good track record at Bridge, looked the more threatening from the start and only a last ditch tackle from Andy Kent and a goal line clearance to a Gareth Huxall header prevented an early breakthrough. It was then Alastair Hogg’s turn to deny Tom France and subsequently the keeper was forced to turn a dangerous cross over the bar from the impressive Tom Marsden but he was left with no chance on 27th minutes when Jarrod Wallace broke through the Bridge defence to open the scoring. Bridge managed to hold out until half time and it was just before the break that they had their best chance through Danny Webster. The interval certainly benefited Bridge as there was a complete turnaround after in the second half with the home side in the ascendancy and Rothwell’s turn to hang on. Eagling hit the post Webster, twice, and Philpott both went close and the bit of luck required seemed to be deserting Bridge until the 72 minute when visiting keeper Andy Hitchin could only stand and stare as Philpott turned on the edge of the box and swept the ball into the top corner for a classic equaliser. Both sides had chances and Bridge needed to survive a frenetic a goalmouth scramble ahead of the 88th minutes when Philpott picked up a defensive clearance to put Eagling through on goal and he shook off his marker before placing his left foot drive past the advancing Hitchin, via the post, to give his side an important victory.
MOM PAUL EAGLING