FOOTBALL: Golds smash record making the third round of FA Women's Cup

Golds had never before reached the first round proper of the FA Cup until this season, with their best previous performance the first qualifying round.

But they have now defeated New Forest (2-1), Maidenhead (3-2 aet), Ebbsfleet (2-1 aet) and Woodbridge on their way into the third round.

Golds left for the match in Suffolk at 7.30am on Sunday and Sam Mee's early goal was enough to earn them 350 prize money and a trip to Colchester, where they hope to be playing at Colchester United's Community Stadium, which is a 10,000 all-seater venue.

Littlehampton had a nightmare en route to Sunday's game, with their minibus breaking down, and it took them four hours to get there.

But they started the match well and Mee fired home a brilliant 25-yarder to give her side the lead.

In an end-to-end tie, Kelly Martin, Gemma Day and Debbie Lineham went close to a second, while Golds player of the match, keeper Andrea Coles, made some outstanding saves as Littlehampton held on.

Golds manager Jamie Bourne said: "It's brilliant to get through.

"We played some good football, battled hard, and ground out the result.

"We went ahead early on and defended well throughout. Andrea made a couple of world-class saves. She tipped a shot destined for the top corner over, saved a one-on-one and blocked a shot from close-range.

"And Stacey Ryan in defence made some excellent sliding tackles. It was a good, hard-fought game and I think we deserved it.

"It was a magical day for the club and we've re-written club history all over again. I'm just so proud of everyone."

On the next round against Colchester, which is a 1pm kick-off this Sunday, Bourne said: "They're in the Southern National League, so will be very tough opposition.

"But it's good for the whole town for us to have progressed so far."

Colchester sit sixth in their league with 19 points from their 16 matches, but they have taken just one point from their last four games.

The winners of the game will receive 500 prize money.

LITTLEHAMPTON: Coles; Morley, Ryan, Allen, Duffy; Lineham, Mee, Hinton, Davis; Berney, Short. Subs: Kollarikova (Berney 65), Martin (Short 75), Thorne.

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