Jersey women played their first F.A. Cup match having received a Preliminary Round walkover for the home game against United Services Portsmouth a fortnight ago. It was another trip to Sussex trip after the men drew at Burgess Hill yesterday (and return there on Tuesday for the replay).

Bognor play in the Southern Region Division 1 South, a level above where Jersey have just been promoted to. They finished third last season with a 13-1-4 48-25 record and would prove difficult opposition for Jersey who had lost two of their best players to the “mainland” since last season. Leah Morris now playing along the Sussex coast at Newhaven and Anita Tavares being at level 4 Chorley.

For Danielle Bradshaw it was a return to familiar pastures, having played for Bognor before moving to Jersey. Jersey also included two newly turned sixteen promising youngsters who were now eligible for senior football. Lauren Le Garignon also plays petanque and has already represented Jersey in the adults inter-insular. Evie Smilek scored against Bognor Regis in the Sussex U16 cup final last season when Jersey won 2-1.

Teams stayed ends, Jersey kicked off attacking the entrance (East) end 2.19.50

Jersey had a reality check, meeting a side at the top end of a higher level especially without two of their strongest players from last season. They were outplayed throughout and were rarely out of their own half as Bognor were quicker to the ball and had better close control.

However, Jersey took an early lead against the run of play in the fifth minute when Holly Sundby found Sam Silva-Pinto in the right channel, and she hit a strong dipping shot from twenty yards over Nicole Robinson in the Bognor goal.

The lead did not last long. An Ellie Jefkins cross from the right eluded Natasha Keenand it cannoned off the knee of Sophie Humphrey. Tayah Vasse got down well to parry but Humphrey was on hand as she followed in to level matters.

It was Humphrey again less than ten minutes later and this time it was a corner from the left that was not cleared. Sophia Poling hit it back in from the edge of the box and Humphrey was at the near post a yard out to beat the covering defender on the line.

Bognor huffed and puffed but failed to extend their lead until ten minutes from time when substitute Lucie Wright swung in a left footed corner to the near post where it was deflected past her own ‘keeper by Tiffany Sundby.

Bognor Regis Town – Nicole Robinson, Alice Gue, Sophia Poling, Macie Downs, Lucienne Selvester (wore 17), Bec Bell-Thorns (wore 34), Millie Carter (c), Kate De Lillis, Sophie Humphrey, Rhiannon Hambleton, Ellie Jefkins
Substitutes – 5. Lou-Lou Robson (for De Lillis 75), 14. Clara Castanheigh (for Selvester 90+2), 16. Lola Bowditch (not used), 19. Freya Boxer (for Bell-Thorns 81), 20. Talliah Anderson (for Hambleton 88), 22. Lucie Wright (for Jefkins 60), 24. Sophie Campbell (sub GK) (not used)

Green/Green/White; GK All Light Blue

Craig Seacombe (Manager), Rodrigo Castanheira and Niamh Andersson (Coaches),Libby Marsh (Medical)

Jersey Bulls – Tayah Vasse (GK) (wore 13), Tiffany Sundby, Natasha Keen (wore 14), Aine Ruth (wore 12), Danielle Bradshaw, Poppy Benest, Roisin Flynn, Holly Sundby (c), Lauren Le Garignon (wore 16), Coco Leonard (wore 15), Sam Silva-Pinto
Substitutes – 3. Alena Clyde-Smith (for Leonard 82), 4. Rachael McCartan (for Ruth 69), 18. Evie Smilek (for Silva-Pinto 81) (only three substitutes)

Kit – All Red; GK All Yellow

Chad Morris (Manager), Harry Walker (Assistant and Medical)

Formations (R to L)
Bognor Regis Town (4-4-2) 1; 11-3-4-2; 10-7-8-17; 34-9
Jersey Bulls (4-1-4-1) 13; 2-6-5-14; 8; 7-12-16-15; 11

Officials – Adam Woods (Bognor), Guy Hunter (Bognor) dug outs, Tom Broadfoot (Lancing) far side

Caution(s) – Danielle Bradshaw (JB) 45 dissent

Corners – Bognor Regis Town (5) 13; Jersey Bulls (0) 1

Assist(s) – Holly Sundby

Player of the Match – Roisin Flynn

Added Time – 3.05 & 4.55 (8.00)