Second from bottom Beckenham Town faced league leaders Three Bridges at Eden Park Avenue on Tuesday night and it was the table toppers who ran out 6-1 winners, with striker Noel Leighton scoring four of the goals.
Beckenham started the game brightly attacking down the wings, but the visitors the started to zip the ball around on eth excellent playing surface and pose their hosts problems.
The opening goal came on 14 minutes when Hayden Velvick crossed for Leighton to turn the ball home. Two minutes later Bridges doubled their lead when Leighton weaved his way through the Beckenham defence and beat Carter Sullivan for 2-0. Town responded from their and pulled one back on 22 minutes when Callum Corbin crossed for Alfie Bloomfield who slid in to send the ball high into the net for 2-1.
Three Bridges pressed again from there, Sam Bull, Carlos Richards and Charlie Bennett all went close with Beckenham also making some brave blocking tackles to keep them at bay. The home sides resistance finally broke a minute before half time when Bryan Villavienco crossed for Leighton to powerfully head home and make it 3-1 at the break.
The second half saw Beckenham start well; George Porter and Corbin combined before the Bromley loanee had a shot saved by Sam Roberts in the Bridges goal. Three Bridges got going again on the hour mark and they made it four when Villavienco had a shot saved by Sullivan, but Bennett pounced on the rebound to score.
The fifth came only two minutes later when Jack Holland was caught in possession by Leighton and he took the ball round Sullivan to make it 5-1. The home side pressed and kept going but just could find a way through the Three Bridges defence and the visitors would seal the win on 74 minutes when Richards broke free and scored a superb solo goal. Late on Beckenham nearly pulled a goal back when Makhaya James crossed for Shaquille St Louis-Gordon but as he slid in at the far post the ball hit the woodwork and was scrambled away for a corner.
The game ended with Three Bridges pushing for more and the win puts them eight points clear at the top of the Isthmian League Division One South table.
Beckenham now travel to Crowborough Athletic on Saturday looking for vita league points in their bid to avoid relegation.
Beckenham – Sullivan, Corbin, Grieveson, Ryan (James 67), Holland, Douglas, Marshall (Alaka 77), Gamble (Dudley 67), Hever, Bloomfield (Porter 37), Gordon. Subs Not Used: Kama.
Three Bridges – Roberts, Ferrieria, Hallard, Woollard (Adeyinka 70), Bull, Neathey (Irving 67), Richards, Villavicencio (Difika 79), Leighton, Velvick, Bennett (Holden 73). Subs Not Used: Bryson.
Goals: BTFC – Bloomfield 22mins.
TBFC – Leighton 14,16,44, 66mins, Bennett 64, Richards 74mins
HT 1-3 FT 1-6
Att: 148
Referee: Joseph Gray