Sunday 7th September was a historic day for the club, as the women’s team played their first ever Adobe Women’s FA Cup game, with a home tie to fellow Tier 6 club Hastings United in the First Qualifying Round.

A large crowd of over 200 saw the team battle out a tense game in the September sun. With Hastings determined not to commit any player forwards, The Sports found attacking space hard to come by and despite dominating possession, real chances were few and far between.

Kellie Larkin saw her effort curl just wide of the top corner, before Sophia Moule produced a great save to deny Priya Thapa.

A tactical switch just before half time saw Abbie Tucker subbed off, with Izzy Payne moving out wide left, and Becky Simmons coming on to partner Molly Hill up top.

However, the visitors almost went in front moments later when Thapa broke through to go one on one with Moule, but she could only fire wide.

But just before the break, the tactical switch paid dividends, with a low Payne cross deflecting off Hastings defender Lauren Skinner-Swain and into her own net.

The second half started much the same as the first half, with Hastings camped in their own half, and looking to go long into their striker – however Borough made it 2-0 within minutes of the restart.

An arrowed pass from captain Larkin found Lola Dulake on the right, who skipped past a defender and finished brilliantly inside the box.

Chris Day then brought on Megan Griffiths for Nicole Baitup, and made another late change with Phoebe Cram coming on to replace the industrious Molly Hill, with Charlotte Gurr playing higher up the pitch.

Hastings created a few half chances to get back into the game – notably when Brooke Nicholson-Rogan shot narrowly wide, but the game finished 2-0 to Borough.

The Sports will now go into the Second Qualifying Round, which will be drawn later today.