Horsham FC Women ‘gutted’ to lose cup final – but boss takes the positives
Horsham FC Women’s boss Kaz Bridgewater was ‘gutted’ to lose to Three Bridges in the SCWGFL Challenge Cup final – but heaped praise on her players for battling to the end.
The Hornettes were unable to prevent Bridges from completing a league and cup double on Sunday, suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat in Lancing.
Bridges led 2-0 at half-time but Jordan Lucas’ free-kick reduced the arrears in the second half. Bridges restored their two-goal cushion and a late Megan Armitage penalty wasn’t enough to deny Bridges at Culver Road.
Bridgewater told the County Times: “We were of course gutted to come away with a defeat after a battling performance. To come back from 2-0 down at half-time and miss out narrowly is always hard to swallow.
“However, the players showed the resilience and hard work required and did leave it all on the pitch. I am proud of each and every player and their efforts to not only get us to the final, but to show such a good account of how we can play.
“We will take the positives and look at the learnings, hold our heads high and go again as we now prepare for the next season.
“Massive thank you to all the supporters at the match. The hard work in the lead up to the event by all involved to make it such a special event and of course ‘well done’ to Three Bridges as worthy winners.”
Horsham also missed out on the SCWGFL Premier Division title to Three Bridges, who finished the season unbeaten to beat the second-placed Hornettes to promotion.
Bridgewater was disappointed not to pick up league honours, but said the campaign had been a success for her Hornettes.
She added: “We are disappointed to not achieve the top spot in our third season – however this league campaign has been successful.
“On the games where we have dropped points, those games have taught us valuable lessons which we have learnt and grown from.
“The culture and ambition from the players both joining us this season and continuing with us from last season has been brilliant
“Some of the football we have played has been fantastic. Credit to the squad for their hard work and I am proud of the way we play and the culture we have built together.”
Meanwhile, the men’s team have announced their pre-season itinerary.
Highlights include a visit from League One outfit AFC Wimbledon, a trip to the Hornets’ 2023-24 FA Cup second round proper opponents Sutton United, and a West Sussex derby at newly-crowned National League South champions Worthing.
The confirmed dates are as follows:
- (H) Eastbourne Town – Friday, July 10 (7.45pm kick-off)
- (H) AFC Wimbledon – Tuesday, July 14 (7.45pm)
- (H) Dulwich Hamlet – Tuesday, July 21 (7.45pm)
- (A) Sutton Utd – Saturday, July 25 (3pm)
- (H) Crystal Palace under-18s – Tuesday, July 28 (7.45pm)
- (A) Worthing FC – Saturday, August 1 (3pm)
Ticket information will follow in due course