Three Bridges Women are semi-finalists once again

By Ellie Duffett

Three Bridges Women are Combined Counties semi-finalists after a 6-1 home victory against Greater London’s division’s, Tooting Bec.

The players entered the pitch with a roar of cheers, as young fans gathered at the fenceline screaming for the home team.

As the game kicked off, Bridges immediately switched into their routine, which as any spectator this season knows, means an opening goal is only around the corner.

Nancy Newman brought this goal to fruition not even 10 minutes into the game after she drove forward with the ball from the halfway line at a speed which  could not be matched. Having passed through the defence she was left in a 1v1 with the keeper. Newman took her chance, the goal was open, keeper off her line, taking a clean strike, she slotted it immediately into the back of the net.

Bo Hughes helped gain the team a 2-0 lead having received the ball on the edge of the box, she took a second touch bending the ball around the keeper who had no time to react to Hughes’ fast reaction.

Tooting did not have a chance to try to rebuild, as 5 minutes later, Bridges advanced the scoreline for their third and final goal of the first half. The goal came as Caitlin Griffin made a run with the ball towards the edge of the box. Griffin looked up and crossed the ball to Martha Behr. The keeper yet again made a run out, finding herself in a 1v1 against the Bridges attack. Behr struck the ball around the keeper and straight into the net.

Bridges entered half-time with a 3-0 lead.

As Tooting entered the second-half they were fuelled with an energy to fight. This energy quickly converted itself to aggression as poor tackles were made when the visitors struggled to gain possession of the ball. This left the team with 2 yellow cards minutes apart.

Tooting’s aggression however failed to strike fear within Bridges, demonstrated by Behr’s second-half hat trick.

Behr’s goals were nothing short of clean, precise and clinical, a key player tonight fighting for every progressive pass and creating space within the box.

Her success however should also be credited to Isabella Farooqi and Amelia Sandys who created opportunities for Behr to isolate herself from defenders and to give Bridges the 6-0 lead turning on the ball to convert each pass into a goal.

Bridges held their advantage for the remainder of the game confident that they would finish the match with a scoreline of 6-0, until chaos broke out in the last minute of play within the box resulting in a Tooting penalty.

Goalkeeper Mia Robinson looked confident and prepared. The penalty taker stepped up striking the ball to the top right corner of the goal, Robinson dived in unison but could not reach it in time.

Tooting scored their first goal of the match finishing the game 6-1.

After back-to-back weekend fixtures, Bridges now look forward to an Easter break until their next league game away at Hassocks on 12^th of April.