The final of the Sussex Girls Challenge Cup (Under-13s) is due to take place on Sunday 6 February 2022 between Pevensey & Westham and Chichester & Selsey. 

Pevensey & Westham vs. Chichester & Selsey 
Sussex Girls Challenge Cup Final (Under-13s)
Date: Sunday 6 February 2022
Kick-off: 2.30pm
Venue: Sussex County FA, Culver Road, Lancing, West Sussex, BN15 9AX

This Sunday should present us with an absolute cracker as Pevensey & Westham and Chichester & Selsey, both of the Sussex County Women & Girls Football League (SCWGFL) Premier Division, face-off. 

Pevensey, who sit in second place in the SCWGFL, come into the final having beaten their opponents in a narrow 2-1 victory earlier this month. 

Manager, Steve Hadfield, believes it will make for a great final: “We played Chichester in the league last week and it was a very tight game. Both teams came out knowing they needed to prove something, and we eventually came out winners, but I think it'll be a tough game the final. 

“They know how we play; we know how they play so it'll be an interesting tactical battle on the day.” 

It makes for an extra special occasion for Steve who manages his side in a final for the first time.

“It's our first final in my time at Pevensey! The girls are really excited and it's a really good thing for the club. I think in terms of County Cups it's one of the first the club has had.

“It's really exciting because it's something for the girls to really look forward to. Explaining to them in training about what the final would entail, it gave them more fight to win the semi.

“The semi-final against Eastbourne Borough was a cracking game to be a part of and it really inspired the girls.

“We play in a very tough league so for us to get to the County Cup final was one of my priorities. When I was younger I was in a County Cup final myself, so I know what a privilege it is.”

For the final itself, Steve believes they’ve had good preparation that has forced his team to work hard for their place. 

“We got a bye into the quarters and played Worthing Town. They were a good, exciting, attacking team and it gave us a good hard fight.

“We had to go into extra-time and the girls had never really had that before. I congratulated them on how hard they fought for that. 

“I'll be telling them on the final to relax and treat it as a normal game and go out to show them how we play football.”

In regard to the league game between the finalists, Trevor Colman, Chichester & Selsey manager, gave us his thoughts: “We played Pevensey recently and had quite a close match with them. They won't admit it, but they had a lucky goal! 

“We had a long way to travel for the game against them, but the final will be good because both teams have roughly the same amount of travel. 

“The Premier Division that we're apart of can be difficult because the teams on the other side of the county, we don't know at all. 

“The fact we've played them recently and know what they're about I should think will help us and their manager, Steve Hadfield is a real nice guy, so to me it makes it all the more familiar. 

“They beat Eastbourne Borough in the Semi-Final, who beat Withdean, who in the league, had comfortably beat us! I think in that sense we anticipated a bigger gap between us and Pevensey, but we've progressed a lot over the course of the season.”

Trevor also passionately gave his thoughts on the rise of women and girls football in Sussex: “I think it's brilliant! My daughter is in the team, which is one of the reason's I am manager, but the opportunity to give girls of this age proper competitive football is incredible. 

“The only thing I'd say is that it would be great to see more female coaches involved as well! It's the next step we need to take I think.”

What’s more, for his side to be playing in our final itself, he believes is an important occasion to take in. 

“We play games to play the games and each game is treated differently. We don't build our girls up to fail. We don't look forward to winning a league or cup, we want the girls enjoying each match as it comes along. 

“When we got to the final, they're obviously very aware of it and the fact it's Sussex County FA's competition, makes it a big deal. 

“Our other coach, Sam Edwards, played football in Chichester and played in two County Cup Finals and tells us how prestigious it is.

“Everyone at the club though is extremely proud to be in the final. We don't want to just be getting there, we do of course want to win.” 

Lastly, he added what he’ll be saying to the girls ahead of the final: “I'll be telling them to go out and do they're best. Remember what we've talked about and just do they're absolute best and enjoy themselves.

Entry prices for the final are as follows (cash and card accepted):

£4.00 Adult (17+) 
£2.00 Concession (65+ and students with valid student ID card) 
FREE Child (16 and under) 
£1.50 Official Match Day Programme

For further details about the Sussex Girls Challenge Cup (Under-13s) please contact Competitions: 

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