Three Bridges secured a dramatic late victory over Stanway Rovers in an away match on Saturday, with Noel Leighton scoring a hat-trick to clinch a 3-2 triumph. The game remained goalless until the 80th minute when Leighton opened the scoring for the visitors, before Stanway responded swiftly through Stephen Toussaint. However, Leighton quickly regained the lead for Three Bridges and added a third goal deep into stoppage time.

The match, played in East Anglia, saw the West Sussex side start strongly, creating several early chances. Scott Malone came close to breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark when he headed the ball onto the crossbar. The remainder of the first half ended without goals, as both sides struggled to convert their opportunities.

The second half maintained a balanced contest, but Three Bridges finally made a breakthrough in the 80th minute. Following a period of sustained pressure from Stanway Rovers, which ultimately failed to produce a goal, Bridges launched a counterattack. The ball eventually found its way to Leighton, who carried it forward alone and finished past Stanway goalkeeper Khiani Shombe.

Stanway responded quickly to the setback, leveling the score in the 88th minute when a ball into their penalty area struck the post and then rebounded in off Toussaint, who appeared to be in a favorable position. Despite this fortunate equalizer, their celebrations were brief. As Stanway pushed numbers forward in search of a late winner, Leighton capitalized on the resulting counterattack to secure the win moments before the final whistle.

The victory marks a significant result for Three Bridges and highlights Leighton’s decisive impact in the match with his three goals. Meanwhile, Stanway Rovers will be left to rue their missed opportunities and inability to maintain defensive composure in the closing stages.