With three minutes of extra time remaining, a Chichester victory looked highly unlikely as Merstham led 4-3 and City were down to ten players following a sending-off.

But the courageous Chichester team had other ideas as Laura Pike volleyed home an Abbie Crook cross to set up a penalty shootout.

Five perfect penalties and one fine save later, the Sussex champions had won their third trophy in two seasons.

Chichester, playing the final on Merstham's own Ryman League ground, knew they had to start well and silence the large and vociferous home crowd and they made the perfect start as Chantelle Clark fired City in front after just five minutes following a surging run.

Then Abbey Shrubb doubled the advantage on 15 minutes, converting a pass from Paris Hutton. Chichester played some wonderful football during the first 30 minutes and could have easily added to the score as Shrubb and Clark went close and Imogen Horne rattled the crossbar.

Merstham came more into the game and Sam Wiseman made two smart saves before Merstham reduced the deficit just before the break.

The introduction of Sam Parker after the interval invigorated the City attack and it was Parker who restored the two-goal lead, firing into the corner following an excellent move down the left.

The game continued at a very fast pace in humid, energy-sapping conditions. Laura Pike came close to putting Chichester out of sight, hitting the crossbar with an excellent strike from distance.

Merstham began to dominate and City had to use all five substitutes to keep the advantage as the game moved into the last ten minutes.

Naomi Parfoot made several fine saves as Chichester, for the first time, struggled to contain the movement of the Merstham attack.

During this period of play the overworked Vicky Bernard, Rosie Maher and skipper Sian Spicer were outstanding at the back for City. Merstham pulled a goal back from 25 yards and completed the comeback to take the game into extra-time.

Little was seen of City as an attacking force during the first period of extra-time and the second period continued in a similar fashion as the City girls looked very tired.

It came as no surprise when Merstham took the lead for the first time in the match in the middle of the second period.

As Chichester tried to get back into the game, they were reduced to ten players. The sending-off seemed to galvanise the Chichester team and this, with the several substitutions Merstham made to slow the game down, handed the initiative back to City.

Spicer and Steph Madden drove the team forward and following good work from Laura Sherwood and Crook, Pike equalised.

In the penalty shootout, clinical kicks from Parker, Crook, Pike and Spicer put pressure on the fourth Merstham penalty taker and Naomi Parfoot did the rest, diving to her left to make the all-important save.

In a fitting end to this epic match, the inspirational Steph Madden, who has missed most of the season through injury, converted her penalty to seal the victory.

It was just left to Spicer to lift the cup for Chichester.

UNDER-14

Felpham made the journey with Woods Travel to Roehampton to represent Sussex in the regional finals of the Tesco Challenge Cup.

Seven other county champions were there to compete against and Felpham were under no illusions this was going to be an easy task.

The girls came up against teams with players from Arsenal girls and England-nominated players. Although Felpham did not make the final, the 14-strong squad put up spirited performances, displaying quality football, only just getting beaten in the group stage by the eventual regional winners and drawing with a star-studded team from Frimley Green in which they were denied only by a late goal.

The girls described it as a great honour to represent Sussex and said they had benefited from the experience. Any boys or girls wishing to be part of Felpham Colts/Girls FC should contact the club via www.felphamcolts.com

UNDER-12

Felpham 0 Marle Place Wanderers 1

Felpham lost their first game of the season in this cup final. Both teams produced a final to be proud of.

Felpham started the stronger, putting pressure on the Wanderers defence, but were unable to score. The second half saw chances for both teams came thick and fast.

A shot from outside the area by Marle Place broke the deadlock despite Felpham's keeper's brave attempt to save it. Marle Place then defended in numbers.