Three Bridges Women book SCWGFL Challenge Cup semi-finals

Three Bridges Women are through to the semi-finals of the SCWGFL Challenge Cup after an impressive 8–0 win against Mile Oak Ladies. Congratulations go to Lucy Barker for her hat-trick during today’s game.

The Bridges entered this quarter-final match with two players making their debut: goalkeeper Jennifer Rajnikanth and midfielder Amy Hunt.

Hunt played a vital role in today’s match, appearing comfortably alongside her teammates and creating strong passes and opportunities for them to attack Mile Oak’s goal. You would have never guessed that this was her first appearance for Bridges Women.

Within five minutes of kick-off, Bridges already had a 2–0 lead thanks to consecutive goals from Barker. On the second goal, Kaitlyn Paul crossed the ball from outside the box. The ball met Barker’s foot and, before any defender could react, she slotted the ball immediately into the back of the net.

Minutes later, Paul was in the box once again and on the receiving end of a cross from Holly Hunt. Paul was in a tight space, filled with the opposition, but still managed to take a successful shot.

As the first half continued, Bridges maintained a consistent attack, with key strong passes coming from Poppy Nicholls, giving her teammates the opportunity they needed to find space within Mile Oak’s box.

With two minutes to go in the first half, Bridges were eager to score another goal. The final chance came from Barker, who passed the ball firmly across the box in front of goal to captain Martha Behr. The chance was taken, and the team celebrated once again. Bridges went into half-time with a 4–0 lead.

As the players left the pitch, the song Cake by the Ocean blared out over the Jubilee Field speakers with the fitting words, “we just gettin’ started”.

Within 15 minutes of the second half, Bridges proved their point by scoring two additional goals — the first for Amelia Sandys, after placing the ball straight over the keeper’s head, and a hat-trick for Barker.

Bridges continued the way they started, with consistent domination of the ball.

In any small moments where the ball was lost, the team showed a quick recovery, as nicely demonstrated by defender Ava Clark, who came up against three members of the opposition. With a quick turn on the ball, Clark dummied the attack, leaving them — and the fans — dumbfounded by her fast reaction.

Continued pressure by Sandys earned her yet another opportunity for goal after she danced around the defenders in her approach to the box. She took her shot from the top of the box; the powerful effort flew straight past the goalkeeper, making it 7–0.

The final goal came after sisters Amy and Holly Hunt created a strong link-up of passes, giving Paul the opportunity to find space within the box. Paul took the shot, becoming the third player to appear more than once on the scoresheet for today’s match.

Bridges finished victorious, having played the majority of the game in the opposition’s box. They will now be looking forward to progressing into the semi-finals of the SCWGFL Challenge Cup and will face either Broadbridge Heath or TD Shipley.