The final of the Sussex Girls Challenge Cup (under-16s) is due to take place on Sunday 3 March 2019 between Mile Oak Wanderers and Lewes. 

Mile Oak Wanderers vs. Lewes 
Sussex Girls Challenge Cup Final (under-16s)
Date: Sunday 3 March 2019
Kick-off: 6.30pm
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX

Both Mile Oak Wanderers and Lewes play in the Sussex County Women & Girls Football League and therefore are no strangers to each other.

The competition was played in a ‘mini league’ style format between Chichester City, Mile Oak Wanderers and Lewes and they all played each other twice with the top two teams progressing the final.

Mile Oak Wanderers manager, Danny Norris has been involved with the club for many years and currently runs two under-15s boys team, as well as the under-16s girls side. He got involved at Mile Oak after both his son and daughter played for the club and Norris expresses his interest for girl’s football: “I get a lot of enjoyment out of girl’s football to be honest with you, I have coached boy’s football for a long time but girl’s football is something I am strongly passionate about.”

Although his under-16s have previously won leagues and league cups, Sunday will be the first time they are finalists in a County Cup and he said: “Everyone is really looking forward to Sunday, Lewes are a fantastic side with a great set up and hopefully we will give them a really good game.

Norris speaks very highly of Lewes and knows that Sunday is going to be a challenge, but believes his players have what it takes to cause an upset: “It’s always been good games between us and both sets of girls are coached well and they have always been good, competitive games played with the right attitudes.

“I have told them that they just need to enjoy the moment, they are so excited but I think there is a little bit of nervousness as well.

“I think they have got what it takes to upset the odds and hopefully they can do that on Sunday for me,” he continued.

Paul Critchfield has been in charge of the team since under-10s level but now joint manages with Dave Sheppard.

Their Girls are very familiar with County Cup success after winning two cups in two years under the Eastbourne Ladies and Girls badge; however at the beginning of this season, it was decided to move across to Lewes due to the player pathway to Women’s football that the club offers. 

Last year, the team entered the exact same cup as an under-15s team and edged a 4-3 victory over Crawley Wasps and Critchfield hopes to retain it this year: “We have got to the county cup twice in the last two seasons and this is the cup we want to win.

“We were lucky enough to win it last year but that was as Eastbourne Ladies and Girls and we played up a year and we want to lift it again as a group of players.

“We are looking forward to it, the day is very professionally run, it’s a major day out for us and we are going to turn up in a coach together.”

Entry prices for the final are as follows:
£3.00 Adult (17+)
£2.00 Concession (65+ and students with valid student ID card)
FREE Child (16 and under)

For further details about the Sussex Girls Challenge Cup (under-16s) please contact Competitions:

Competitions
T: 01903 753547
E: Competitions@SussexFA.com