Bridges are through to the semi finals

Tuesday 18th January 2022.     Sussex Senior Cup Fourth Round

Horsham YMCA 1 Three Bridges 3 (h-t : 0-1) Referee : Ciaran Fidler

Bridges are through to the semi finals of the Sussex Senior Cup, having played all three games to get there away from home. Tougher tests are yet to come with Worthing, Horsham and the winners of next Tuesday’s game between Eastbourne Town and Brighton And Hove Albion the other semi finalists.

In truth this was not a game for the purists and the only notable incident of a turgid first half was the well taken 20th minute goal as NOEL LEIGHTON latched onto Dan Perry’s through ball to guide home.

Leighton was injured and had to be replaced at half time by Ben Bacon, who had a shot blocked three minutes into the second half following a great run and cross by Gianni Ashley, who offered a constant threat on the left.

But the game came to life after 53 minutes when DEAN LOVEGROVE, one of four former Bridges players in YMCA’s starting line up, found unexpected space and decided to strike from all of thirty yards. It was the goal of the game, but Bridges scored a decent goal themselves on the hour as the ball swept from left to right to eventually reach CURTIS GAYLER, who drilled home from an angle.

Both sides had no more than half chances after that and there was a half hearted appeal for a penalty by the hosts when the ball brushed against the excellent James Young’s side. But, just as the game was heading into six minutes of added time, a wicked bounce left home keeper Aaron Jeal unable to clear properly, and DAN PERRY was rewarded for a persistent display by heading over Jeal to clinch victory and that semi final place.

Bridges Man of the Match – Gianni Ashley.