Three Bridges Women secure the double

By Ellie Duffett

Three Bridges Women are SCWGFL Challenge Cup winners securing them the double alongside their league title.

Huge congratulations go to the team for their performance today. Another edition to the clubs ever-expanding trophy cabinet.

Today’s final against Horsham FC, was nothing short of intense and competitive with fans passionately supporting their teams at the Sussex FA grounds.

From the whistle, Bridges Women dominated the game having their first chance at goal less than 5 minutes in. The opportunity came after Bo Hughes made a run with the ball towards the goal before promptly crossing the ball to Martha Behr on the right-hand side of the goal. Martha took a right-footed strike which was captured by the keeper.

3 minutes later, Bridges challenged the opposition once again after Hughes finds herself in the same position in front of goal but this time her right-footed strike was one with indefensible power. The ball was sent straight into the top right corner of the goal giving Bridges the early lead.

Both Hughes and Behr prove early on why they were recently selected as Manager’s and Players’ Player of the Season.

Losing chances on the ball was becoming frustrating for Horsham. This frustration only heightened into a small moment of desperation when Behr posed a danger to the opposition in front of goal. In a poor defensive effort Behr was tripped. The referee awarded a penalty and who else would be a better player to step up to the task then Sandys, a player described as manager Joe Clark as “skilful with an eye for spectacular goals”.

Sandys looked composed; the Horsham fans nervous. The whistle blew and Sandys struck the ball straight into the left-hand side of the net, advancing the scoreline to 2-0 for Bridges.

Bridges entered half-time keeping their 2-0 lead.

Within the opening minutes of the second-half, the game pauses and fans’ attention was drawn to the opposite side of the pitch where a red card was flashed into the air. Confusion rumbled through the crowd as it becomes apparent that Bridges Manager, Joe Clark has been sent off.

In spite of this, Bridges kept their composure keeping a strong possession of the ball. Behr once again posed a large threat to the opposition as she advanced at goal and once again a Horsham defender in desperation to take possession, trips Behr. Bridges were awarded their second penalty of the night.

Sandys once again steps up to the penalty spot, but previous success could not be replicated as the ball was struck over the crossbar.

A yellow card for Bridges gave Horsham their opportunity to convert at goal after the referee booked Grace Bates for time wasting, kicking the ball away from the opposition on their set piece.

Horsham’s Jordan Lucas took the awarded free kick from the right side of goal, Bridges created a five-person wall in front of her. As the ball was struck from the ground, Bridges defence jumped but cannot get the height to obstruct the ball’s path towards goal and Horsham gain their first goal of the night.

The Horsham fans celebrated with a choir of roars and chants, but Bridges did not let them sit comfortably for long, changing the scoreline once again. The goal came after Behr’ precise cross found Bates, who calmly slotted the ball past the lunging goalkeeper.

Holly Hunt 5 minutes later looked to change the scoreline to 4-1 after she broke through Horsham’s defence before taking a shot at goal. However as the fans started to celebrate the linesman’s raised flag came into view and the goal was disallowed.

For the first time of this game Horsham were booked for their first yellow card as yet another poor foul was made, this time against Hughes.

This booking was followed by a second and final booking for Bates who was shown red for a foul in the box. Horsham are awarded a penalty in the final moments of the game. Horsham’s number 5 stepped up to take the shot. As the whistle goes, she struck the ball to the left side of the net, Bridges keeper dived in the same direction but just missed the ball.

Bridges spent the remaining minutes of the game with 10 players and a composure that withheld any chance for Horsham to equalise. The final whistle blew with the scoreline standing at 3-2.

Bridges were declared as the SCWGFL Challenge Cup a much-deserved accolade which represents the team’s success and level of skill this season.

However, the team still have the opportunity at turning this double into the triple as they approach yet another final for the Combined Counties trophy on the 26^th May at Reg Madgwick Stadium in Cobham.

The Bridges Women’s fans turned out in full force today to support the women’s team. Come along and show your support for the team once again in one of their penultimate games of this season.