Borough Women faced their toughest test of the season so far, with the visit of promotion favourites Bognor Regis Town.

Bognor finished second in the league last season, only missing out on promotion to Aylseford on the last day of the season, and have been clear their aim is automatic promotion with heavy recruitment of ex Portsmouth and Southampton players.

With some key players away Chris Day shuffled the pack, bringing Megan Griffiths and Lily Ray back into the starting line up, and handing midfielder Phoebe Cram her first start of the season.

With Bognor playing very direct, The Sports dominated possession from the off, and overloaded the midfield area. After a series of early chances, including Griffiths hitting the bar, Izzy Payne broke the deadlock in the 27th minute after a brilliant through ball from Ruby Starkey.

Bognor only looked threatening from dead balls, and Boroughs technical levels and ball speed caused the opponents multiple problems.

The second half saw the introduction of winger Abbie Tucker, and 16 year old striker Sophie Jessop making her debut, with Griffiths and Ray making way.

Bognor looked to threaten in behind, but Daisy Taylor was alert to any danger, showing composure far beyond her young age.

Borough doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when some skillful work by Tucker set up Cram – her shot hit the post, but the ever alert Payne smashed in the rebound for her second, and fourth of the season.

3 minutes later captain Kellie Larkin added a third when her shot from the edge of the box deflected past the Bognor keeper. A fourth was nearly added minutes later when Jessop’s soaring header flew just wide from Tucker’s cross.
Lily Smith was introduced into the latter stages for Cram, as Borough saw out an impressive home win.

Chris Day said after the game:“I said to the players before the game the league won’t be won or lost today – the season has a long way to go, and there will be lots more twists and turns. I thought it was a brilliant team performance today – disciplined and organised as we asked for.

“For me our midfield stopped Bognor playing, and forced them into long balls from deep which we were happy to deal with. Yet another 16 year old making their debut shows the long term work going on at the club.”