By Myles Thornton
ESME Johnson and Ciara Watling both scored braces as Millwall Lionesses progressed to the quarter-finals of the L&SERWFL League Cup with a 4-2 win at Bognor Regis Women in blustery conditions at the weekend.
The game was scheduled to be played the previous weekend but was called off at the last minute due to poor pitch conditions, despite the referee initially deeming it playable.
Nevertheless, it gave the Lionesses an extra week to prepare.
Manager Ted Jones made four changes to the side who were narrowly beaten by Dorking Wanderers in the Premier Division. Ella Bailey, Shay Bennett, Lucy Jellett and Maisie Joyce came out of the eleven, with Billy Burgess, Florrie Winfield, Alice Wood and Victoria Lussambo all starting.
Millie Connell made her return to the squad after 382 days out injured with an ACL tear.
It was clear from early on that the high winds in the south of England would play a big part in the game, and the best example of that was on five minutes, when Watling’s effort went far astray.
Watling had another chance early on as she was found by Winfield and her shot was only inches away from going in.
Millwall continued to press and went in front when Alice Wood set up Johnson to finish.
Johnson was at it again after the break as she smashed home a beautifully taken goal to double the Lionesses’ lead.
The hosts got one back when Millie Carter played Rhiannon Hambleton through and the striker looped the ball over Millwall goalkeeper Annis-Clara Wright.
Hambleton got her second 20 minutes from time and it was Carter again who set it up as she whipped a corner in and when the ball fell to the feet of the forward she fired home.
Millwall went back in front as Johnson linked up with Watling who tapped in her team-mate’s delightful cross.
Watling wasn’t finished there. She found herself through on goal on 87 minutes, and remained cool, calm and collected to score her second.
Jones’s side will face Herne Bay at home in the last eight.
The Lionesses are back in league action this Sunday against Haywards Heath Town. Kick-off at St Paul’s is at 1.30pm.
