Picture special: Rockettes beat Saltdean in Sussex Women’s Cup

An early substitution saw Ellie Jefkins replaced by Niamh Andersson on just the 4th minute. Jaymie Ross for the visitors twisted and turned for the visitors and fired the ball along the deck and wide of the right post in the first chance on goal on 7 minutes.

Millie Carter had a strike saved by the goalkeeper and Bec Bell-Thorns battled for it on the rebound but a freekick was given to the Saltdean side. Sophia Poling gave away a freekick in a dangerous position. Jess Fry stepped up but fired her long range effort wide of the left post.

See pictures from the tie by David Richardson on this page and those linked.

Following Bell-Thorns' run down the right, the ball fell square to Carter who was blocked before Kate Delillis hit a chance from 25 yards out, but that bounced wide on 19 minutes. The Rockettes got the first goal on 20 minutes. A sharp ball along the deck into the box picked out Sophie Humphrey who tapped home. Then Poling had a long range freekick saved by Tia Botting in the Saltdean goal.

Bognor's short kick out from the goalkeeper fell to Ross who composed herself before firing the ball low into the net on 26 minutes. On 31 minutes, Alice Gue played a short pass to Delillis who fired it curling wide from 30 yards. A neat chipped pass through defence by Carter saw Bell-Thorns run through and neatly divert it into the net on 35 minutes.

Saltdean responded with their own chance as Belle Stray fired it wide from distance. A free-kick was awarded for obstruction to the Rockettes. Up stepped Luc Selvester with a fine dipping freekick but the goalkeeper saved that on 41 minutes. Carter's corner fell straight to the feet of Humphrey but her strike was blocked on the turn soon after.

Niamh Andersson drove in another corner and Lou Lou Robson was there but diverted her header over the crossbar on 44 minutes. HT 2 - 1

Jess Fry had an early second half freekick that dipped low at the left post and Nicole Robinson had to deflect it wide with her legs. Carter stole possession in Bognor's half before passing the ball forward for Bell-Thorns to turn inside and fire it narrowly over the crossbar. Rhiannon Hambleton was replaced by Freya Boxer on 56 minutes.

On 62 minutes Talliah Anderson replaced Sophie Humphrey for Bognor as they seemed the more likelier to score again. Bell-Thorns hit one on the bounce in the area after a decent ball over defence. But the goalkeeper was well positioned to save it. A long range effort flew over the crossbar on 69 minutes from Bognor deep in midfield.

The referee blocked a substitution on 70 minutes as it was deemed the change took too long. But eventually Carter was allowed to be replaced by Clara Castanheira on 72 minutes after the hosts were playing with ten women for 2 minutes. Fry's long range freekick along the deck in on 75 minutes was well saved by Robinson. On 77 minutes Carter came back on for Luc Selvester.

Substitute Phoebe Mitchie did well to run beyond the defence before firing it high and wide on 79 minutes from the edge of the box. Delillis hit a hopeful effort from distance and the goalkeeper bounced it off the line despite it being well wide, meaning a corner for Bognor on the right. Carter's corner picked out Poling outstretched in the box but her volley was easily stopped from close range.

Delillis' ball through to Boxer was good but she was flagged offside when she struck the right post on 87 minutes. Bognor had to be steadfast in defence for the remainder of the game with only three additional minutes played of extra time. They go into the hat for the next round of the Sussex County Cup.

They play in the Women's League Cup on Sunday 25th October against Beaconsfield Town with kick off at the earlier time of 1pm.