It was a story of rattled woodwork and what might have been as Southdown Under 11s missed out on winning the Mid-Sussex League Trophy in a thrilling encounter against Three Bridges on Sunday 17 May.

Southdown’s supporters were in good voice in the main stand at Oakwood Sports ground, the red-hot atmosphere warming an overcast and cold morning. Both teams looked determined and full of enthusiasm as the game kicked off with early chances for both sides and some front foot attacking football on display.

After digging in against early Three Bridges pressure Southdown sprung a counterattack down the left hand side on 5 minutes, the claret and blues winger cut in dangerously across the box, and before he could get his shot off a Three Bridges defender dangled a leg across his path sending our player flying, a clear penalty.

The crowd hushed and the tension mounted as Southdown’s captain approached the ball from the penalty spot. His strike was clean and powerful but agonisingly crashed off the bar and over. So close, so unlucky.

The penalty missed seemed to galvanise Three Bridges who then put the Southdown goal under a period of sustained pressure. Southdown’s brave defenders threw their bodies in front of shots and harried and hustled Bridges quick and dangerous forwards to keep them away from the goal. It was yet another display of resolute defending which has been a hallmark of their play all season. The defensive line was finally breached 20 minutes into the match when a lose ball across the box was neatly tucked away by Three Bridges no.9 to make it 1-0.

Southdown responded well to going behind showing some brilliant individual touches and creativity to progress the ball forward. This skilful attacking play continued but Southdown couldn’t quite carve out a clear chance and the half ended with Three Bridges holding a slender 1-0 lead.

In the second half Southdown continued to press for an equaliser attempting a number of penetrative through balls that just ran on to the Three Bridges keeper before a Southdown forward could pounce. A buccaneering run by Southdown’s right sided defender resulted in him getting to the byline and putting in a testing cross that Three Bridges just manged to scramble clear ahead of Southdown’s waiting attackers.

Southdown’s attacking impetus looked under threat as their top goal scorer had to go off with a concerning arm injury early in the second half. He received warm applause from all around the ground as he was helped from the field.

As Southdown continued to press forward Three Bridges landed a crucial sucker punch. With 10 minutes left on the clock a long ball forward evaded Southdown’s defenders and Three Bridges pacey No.9 was through on goal. The Southdown keeper sensed he danger and advanced to clear but the quick forward got to the ball first rounding the keeper before tucking into an empty net. 2-0 Three Bridges.

Southdown were not beaten yet. Their injured goal scoring hero returned to the pitch sporting a bandaged wrist to rapturous applause. These boys were not going down without a fight.

As Three Bridges dropped deeper in the face of Southdown attacking pressure hopes were raised as the Burgess Hill outfit were awarded another penalty. Their captain, showing great bravery after his early miss stepped up again and this time finished with aplomb tucking the spot kick away in the bottom corner. With the score now 2-1 was the comeback on?

Southdown had the bit between their teeth now and attacked relentlessly forcing save after save from the Bridges keeper. The well-worked custodian breathed a heavy sigh of relief when a wicked, arching Southdown corner was headed millimetres wide with just minuets remaining.

As the final whistle loomed Southdown threw everything forward and were rewarded when the ref rightly gave them freekick on the edge of the penalty area. As Southdown’s captain lined up the ball both sets of supporters sat in tense silence knowing it was now or never for the equaliser.

What followed was a moment of sublime skill and crushing bad luck. Three Bridges defensive wall watched helplessly as the powerful free kick bent above their heads crashing with force onto the crossbar of their goal. As the ball rebounded out it stuck the back of the Three Bridges goalkeeper and had every man, woman and child in the crowd convinced it was about to ricochet back into the net. But this time the bounce was in Three Bridges favour as the ball rolled agonisingly along the line before a defender cleared.

This proved to be the last significant action of the game as ref trilled out the three-note fanfare that signalled Southdown’s cup dream was over for this season.

What a game and what a cup run it had been, wins over Marle Place, Horley United, Capel Comets and Fishersgate Flyers had seen Southdown advance to the final and the players and coaches can be very proud of their performances throughout the season. While cup glory just escaped them this year there is more to come from this existing and fast developing team.