Even then its hard to put into words quite how epic this journey was.
At the point when Lewes started the match the team were 6 short of a full squad. Various unavailability ranging from work to pleasure via injury were to blame resulting in a 12 strong squad leaving Lewes on Saturday afternoon. Preparing to start the match it was obvious that something has happened to Carla – none of us knew until after the game that she had dislocated a finger in the warm up.

Harrogate looked a good blend of youth and experience and the game was certainly even for the first half. The home team failed to take advantage of limited opportunities and likewise Lewes failed to provide a cutting edge whilst securing good possession and using the right channel especially very effectively.

With all to play for in the second half the key factor became the depth of squad the homeside possessed. Scoring early in the second half gave the home team confidence but still as the game opened out Lewes had two excellent opportunities for Camilla Busbridge to open the scoring. That she didn’t was due to two excellent saves by the opposition keeper and following this Harrogate converted a short corner. So 2-0 a position which was a step too far for the away side.

By the end of the game everyone had given their all, and that was everything. Kerry Fitzpatrick had sustained a torn calf and Emily Spence was obviously suffering from the kind of shin splits that most of us can only imagine. She had returned to the pitch having taken a volley in a rather personal place – requiring the application of ice to calm things down!

When Greeny delivered a jug of cider to the changing room the girls in question were at least standing up as Kerry and Emily had only been able to crawl to the shower. Elsewhere the team were disappointed (obviously) but I have never seen such commitment to the cause and that in itself is victory.

So good luck to Harrogate in the final – we look forward to you visiting Sussex some day.

As for Lewes Ladies 1st team you were epic (in different ways) for most of the season. Roll on summer.

Report by Hugo Youngman