A first ever meeting between Essex and Jersey in women’s representative football saw the visitors from the Channel Islands fly home with three points following an entertaining Southern Counties Cup clash at Aveley FC.

In a five-county strong competition, also involving the Army, Kent and Middlesex, this fixture opened the campaign for Kim Coster’s Essex side, while the visitors had already got their campaign off to a strong start, restricting holders Middlesex to a goalless draw.

The clash marked a 50th match in charge of the Essex county side for long-serving boss Coster, who was, deservedly, presented with a memento to mark the occasion after the match. Coster handed out eight debuts on the night, and her team competed well despite a slow start to the match in terms of clear opportunities.

The first real opening was just before the half-hour mark when Essex skipper Lynsey Morgan’s low shot was well held by Jersey goalkeeper Sara Luce. Within a minute of that chance, the visitors grabbed the lead thanks to a fine opportunistic strike. Jodie Botterill’s half-volley found the net from long range. That strike was enough to give the away side a half time advantage.

But Essex responded with a leveller just two minutes after the restart. One of the debutants, Ellie Nicholls, scored just moments after coming on as a substitute, rifling home a fine finish. The hosts were then inches away from the lead just a matter of minutes later, as Nicole Farmer struck the crossbar before Laura Bunton turned the rebound wide.

Bunton was then twice denied by fine Luce saves before the winner arrived a little against the run of play on 63 minutes. Botterill jinked her way through and finished with an accurate low, angled shot. Another chance came and went for Essex late on, as Bunton sprinted through on goal and arrowed a shot just wide, but the away side held on for a first Southern Counties Cup win of the campaign.

Hannah Porter was presented with her County Cap after the match to mark her tenth Essex appearance. Essex will return to action on Wednesday 24th January when they travel to take on the Army at the Military Stadium in Aldershot.

Essex: Emily Mackler (Southminster United), Lucy Ogden (Billericay Town), Charlotte Collins-Blaize (Billericay Town), Oliva Bilson (Bowers & Pitsea), Nicole Farmer (Bowers & Pitsea), Abigail Fry (Hutton), Maya Lane (Billericay Town), Lindsey Morgan (Colchester United), Laura Bunton (Bowers & Pitsea), Chloe Woolaway (Southend United), Millie Isherwood (Bowers & Pitsea). Substitutes (repeated): Jamie Newstead (Colchester United), Hannah Porter (Ebbsfleet United), Whitney Locke (Bowers & Pitsea), Ellie Nicholls (Southend United), Lucy Critchell (Hutton).

Jersey: Sara Luce (Southampton), Tiffany Sundby (Rozel Rovers), Sofia Rodrigues (Jersey Wanderers), Holly Muirhead (Rozel Rovers), Libby Barnett (Jersey Wanderers), Daniella Da Silva (Brighton University), Emily Le Page (Rozel Rovers), Ella Docherty (Rozel Rovers), Jodie Botterill (St Peter), Leah Morris (Worthing), Hannah Lynam (Jersey Wanderers). Substitutes (repeated): Rachael McCartan (Jersey Wanderers), Poppy Benest (Rozel Rovers), Ana Malta (Jersey Wanderers)

Referee: Lily Priest.

Assistant Referees: Lacey Larcombe and Jordan Harris.