Brighton & Hove Albion take on Three Bridges tonight’s rendition of the 2026 Sussex Senior Cup Final.
First-time finalists Three Bridges are coming into the game as the underdogs as they will look to cause an upset to the hosts.
Brighton has an impressive record in the finals of this competition, triumphing 14 out of the 15 finals they have made.
Three bridges come into the game off the back of winning the Isthmian Southeast League, topping the table 11 points clear with 96 points.
Brighton have not made the last three finals, their last coming in the 2021/22 season when they overcame Worthing.
Manager Shannon Ruth has named Rio Ferdinand’s son Tate in the starting eleven, as top scorer Charlie Bennett starts for the Bridgers.
Brighton’s Amex Stadium has been a proud host of this fixture since the welcoming of the competition in 2011 and will continue its ritual this Spring evening.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Three Bridges Live Blog
1′ We are underway!
2′ Three Bridges are denied a goal scoring opportunity by the offside flag early on.
4′ first shot of the game for Brighton rolls into Sam Roberts’ hands.
7′ Brighton look to have the early eagerness, as they put pressure on their opponents. both teams look to play with a fast tempo.
13′ Brighton are prioritising their right hand side during the early stages. Matthew Hayden and Aidan West have seen lots of the ball early on. They earn a throw in a good position.
18′ no real opportunities yet. Three Bridges look to play the ball in behind whereas Brighton look to play their way into scoring.
24′ Zane Albans is allowed to carry the ball into the final third. the attack is broken down but the Seagulls are probing.
31′ GOALLLL THREE BRIDGES! Reece Hallard puts the visitors in-front! The ball came in from the right hand side of the box as it was crossed into the path of the number 11 entered in the middle of the goal. His right footed strike beats Steven Hall as it rolls into the bottom left corner! 0-1!
37′ Momentum has shifted. Three Bridges have scored their goal and are now looking for more. Freekick just outside the box in a crossing position.
38′ The free kick is defended and cleared by Brighton.
40′ GOALLLL Brighton respond! It’s Zane Albarus who slots the ball away in the bottom corner with a stretch of his foot. Kofi Shaw does well on the left hand side as he put a pinpoint low cross into the box. Captain Albraus converts and runs back with the ball. Could this be just what Brighton need before the break? 1-1!
45′ Pop shot from Ferdinand goes straight into Roberts’ arms. The fourth official indicates two additional minutes as the rain starts to pour here at the Amex.
HALF TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Three Bridges
45′ And we are underway for the second half.
52′ same paced tempo to start this second half as the first!
57′ Superb technical work by Brighton’s Kofi shaw who squeezes between two defenders and slams his shot against the bar. Close!
62′ Henry Kasvosve has just spurned a chance to score with his first touch! Captain Albans is through on goal, squares it to Kasvosve who can’t convert in front of goal! Big opportunity missed.
64′ Three Bridges have a free kick in a promising closing position, but they pass it short and fail to create a chance.
68′ It’s clear Brighton are the more technical side, whereas Three Bridges are the more physical side. Brighton look dangerous going forward.
71′ we head into the last 20 minutes and the game could still go either way. If the game finishes level, it will go straight to penalties. Both teams are battling as substitutes are getting ready.
74′ We have a short break in play as Ade Adeyinika is getting treated with cramp for Three Bridges. A chance for both teams to get liquids on board, regroup, and reset.
76′ Three Bridges captain Noel Leighton fires the ball into a really dangerous area, but no-one in an amber shirt can quite get there. This sparks Bridges fans into song. Brighton still say they are here though, as they go down the other end as West fires just wide through a crowd of bodies.
79′ Another break in play. This time it is Hayden Velvick being treated with cramp. Three Bridges still look for the long ball up to the big man as their way through.
85′ We head into the last five of the game under the Amex floodlights. It’s currently now or never for both teams…
89′ Corner late on for Brighton. Could this be their chance?
90′ The driven corner flies over everyone and they can’t make a chance out of it. The fourth official indicates six additional minutes.
90+3′ Shane Nti shoots from outside the box but it goes high and wide from an intricate couple of passes. Cheers from the Three Bridges fans as the final looks to be settled via a penalty shootout…
FULL TIME: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Three Bridges
Bennett steps up to take first. Three Bridges will kick off the shootout.
Bennett converts! 1-0 Three Bridges.
1-1! Brighton level through Ibrahim.
Holden scores down the middle from the spot! 1-2 Three Bridges.
Kasvosve scores confidently for Brighton! 2-2
Hallard puts the keeper the wrong way. 2-3 Three Bridges.
Nti puts the ball low into the side netting for Brighton. 3-3!
Adeyinika for Three Bridges put the ball low into the bottom left corner! 3-4!
Aidan West puts it in the top corner for Brighton! 4-4 and best penalty so far.
Leighton converts for Three Bridges. 4-5!
Joe Belmont is up next for Brighton who can’t convert! Three Bridges have won the Sussex Senior Cup Final 2026!!!!
FULL TIME: THREE BRIDGES WIN ON PENALTIES!!!!!!!!