Three Bridges Women are Champions of the SCWGFL Premier Division

By Ellie Duffett

Three Bridges Women have been crowned as the champions of the SCWGFL Premier Division following their 1-0 win away at Hassocks.

A much-deserved achievement for the only team to go unbeaten in the league and an incredible weekend for the club, with both their men’s and women’s teams being announced as champions of their leagues.

A huge congratulations goes to manager Joe Clark who only stepped into the role the start of this season, as well as Wayne, Sal, Ben and the entire team on such a fantastic achievement.

Bridges had not yet come up against Hassocks so far this season and therefore could not anticipate the performance that they would need to put in to secure another consecutive win.

As the whistle blew Bridges set their style of play, which Hassocks matched with a level of aggression. However, Bridges kept their composure remaining calm in the moments of chaos this hostility caused.

This composure was demonstrated by Bo Hughes who succeeded in a 1v1 before turning on her player. Hughes looked up and saw Martha Behr was ready to receive a long ball and made the progressive move. However, the opportunity was not converted.

During the first-half, Ava Clark was a strong defensive presence who broke down each attacking play and opportunity that Hassocks had. However, unfortunately due to injury she had to be substituted before the half-time whistle.

Desperation was growing for Bridges to get a goal after prior unsuccessful attempts.

Behr gained the team this much-needed advantage at 29 minutes after Holly Hunt ran the ball from the halfway line down to the Hassocks box. Hunt looked up and saw Behr was ready to receive the ball in the box. The keeper advanced forward towards the ball and off her line. Simultaneously, Behr struck the ball placing it in the top right corner.

Bridges entered half-time with the advantage of 1-0.

During the second-half of the game Bridges continued to take opportunities at goal but could not convert these.

With the League title just moments away it would not be a perfect win without a second of chaos. At 58 minutes there looked to be an opportunity for Hassocks to equalise the scoreline after their striker successfully broke down Bridges defence, finding herself in a 1v1 with Mia Robinson. As she made her strike Robinson dived to block the ball but could not keep it under control and there was a scramble to clear it and dismiss Hassocks opportunity.

Bridges quickly regained their momentum after this moment of chaos maintaining their advantage for the remainder of the game, allowing the team to finish 1-0.

Speaking with manager Joe Clark earlier this season, he described the team’s mentality this season as “they have not got complacent, even when they have had big scorelines and have made sure they turn up to every training session to put in the hard work.”

Congratulations once again to all the players and staff on their achievement this season.