LeiLanni Nesbeth turned in a match-winning performance on her debut for the Sussex Under-16 football team against Kent Under-16s at the weekend.

With Sussex trailing 2-0 at half-time, Nesbeth was introduced as a substitute and made an immediate impact, pulling a goal back with a neat finish before her team drew level midway through the half.

Kent restored their lead but Nesbeth rose to the occasion yet again, nestling a one-on-one chance past the goalkeeper in the 89th minute to send the cup game in extra-time and penalties. To cap off an eye-catching display, Nesbeth struck the match-winning penalty and also claimed the player of the match award.

Nesbeth, who is a pupil at one of the top sports schools in England, St Bede’s in Sussex, on a full scholarship, is forging a reputation as one of Bermuda’s brightest teenage athletes.

She also excels at cricket and has been offered trials at Sussex County girls’ Under-15 team.

The 14-year-old, who toured England with the Bermuda National Academy last month, will be assessed this month by the Sussex coaches on all aspects of her game.

An all-rounder, Nesbeth represented the Bermuda Under-17 girls in their World Cup qualifiers in Haiti in July and has also played for the Island in basketball and football.

In the past ten years, the Sussex women’s team have won the County Championship six times, in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2013.

In 2011, the Sussex age groups had a successful season, with the under-17s winning the County Championship, the under-11s winning the Arundel Festival, the under-13s were runners-up in the County Championship final and the under-15s reached the semi-final of the County Championship.

•The Bermuda Women’s Under-20 side start their World Cup qualifying campaign in Haiti today.

Naquita Robinson’s side take on Puerto Rico in their opening game, before playing the hosts on Sunday