Three Bridges vs Worthing FC | 1st March 2022

There are times when you have to admit that you have faced a much stronger team. This was one such occasion with Bridges Manager Jamie Crellin heaping praise on “a very good team” in Isthmian League Premier Division leaders Worthing, who look likely to be playing National League South fixtures next season.

They dominated possession throughout this semi final, and yet Bridges keeper Mitch Bromage only faced two shots of note throughout a first half in which the side defended stoutly. Bromage made a good block to deny Aarran Racine after eighteen minutes before being beaten twenty minutes later. He’d punched the ball away but only as far as Jasper Pattenden, whose shot squeezed through a crowd of players past an unsighted Bromage, who led the protests that another Worthing player had impeded him from an offside position.

But Worthing stepped up another gear after the break and a swift move after 53 minutes left Reece Myles-Meekums free to stab home The Rebels’ second goal.

With Marvin Armstrong dominating midfield, another goal seemed inevitable, but it was Bridges who at last tested Harrison Male after 68 minutes when Curtis Gayler latched onto Dan Ferreria’s pass to shoot from just outside the goal area. But it was soon Worthing back into their stride with Bromage having to make a fine save to deny substitute Oliver Pearce.

And after seventy minutes a corner fell to Davide Rodari, who rifled home before being substituted. And just a minute later a low cross was met by Callum Kealy for number four.

The introduction of Camron Lawson from the Bridges bench gave his side a lift even though Myles-Meekums slotted a fifth in the 80th minute. Dan Perry, who had battled unselfishly throughout with little reward, at last managed to test Male, who then saved with his foot from Lawson. And in the closing stages Gayler shot over the bar.

At least Bridges never gave up, but they knew they had lost to a side who will take some beating when the Final takes place at the Amex in May.

Bridges Man of the Match – Joe Stone.