Chichester make it four from four in National League

NOW: Pensions Men’s League Conference East

Chichester went in to the game with a 100 per cent record while their visitors had yet to pick up a point. Happily for the hosts, both trends continued as they made it four wins from four since moving up to the national league.

National-league debuts were given to Ollie Baxter and James Ellis in front of a large, vocal crowed on a sunny afternoon.

The game started slowly with Old Loughtonians packing the defence. Chichester still created chances and Baxter went close after good work from Jack Lerwill down the left.

Dan Godsmark’s goal was rarely threatened with Gerald Cox, Kieren Henn, Dan Brook and Matt Sewell keeping any Old Loughtonian attacks at bay.

Midway through the first half, Martin Gough and Alex Salmon combined well, and Baxter found himself with a simple tap-in to make the score 1-0.

Chichester continued to pressurise the visitors’ goal with Matt Cox and Alex Thakore punching through the midfield. Matt Cox beat three players before being bundled over to win a penalty corner which Chichester were unable to convert.

Chichester came out in the second half determined to add to their tally. Gerald Cox played an delightful aerial pass to Andrew Sparshott who linked up with Connor Mclaughlin, who had worked tirelessly all afternoon. He fed Luke Emmett, who fired the ball across goal for Sparshott to add Chichester’s second.

The visitors struck next against the run of play from a penalty corner to make it 2-1. But this didn’t rattle Chichester and Richard Blakesley made it 3-1 after good play from Brook and Matt Cox.

Moments later Lerwill broke free in midfield and after a bad challenge, the visitors found themselves temporarily down to nine men after some arguing with the umpires.

The resulting penalty corner was converted after a great move involving Thakore and Matt Cox. Cox deflecting home and sealing the three points for the home side.

Chichester travel to Bromley and Beckenham on Saturday with their 100 per cent record still intact and lying second in the table on just goal difference.

CHICHESTER: Godsmark, Sewell, Henn, G Cox, Brook, Ellis, Lerwill, Thakore, M Cox, Salmon, Emmett, Gough, Sparshott, Mclaughlin, Baxter, Blakesley.

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Southwick 2 Bognor Town 4

Bognor travelled to a rainy Portslade to face league leaders Southwick – and came away with a famous victory.

Southwick started strongly and Bognor took a while to adjust to the speed of the passing from the opposition.

Their attacking play gave Bognor’s defence of Debbie Cox, Kim Agate, Helen Arnold and young keeper Lily Morris plenty to do.

One of their forays into the D saw Southwick earn a penalty corner, which they scored from after a deflection from a masterful save from Morris.

This served as a catalyst and Bognor picked up their game with Charlotte Cox in the midfield unleashing long balls up to forwards June Rogers, Karen Harmer and Clare McKnight.

Charlotte Cox was awarded a penalty corner after a solo effort saw her fouled in the D. A straight shot at goal whistled past the Southwick keeper and put the score level.

Bognor midfield players Theresa Cooper, Charlotte Cox, Nadia Muncey and Danielle Hannan, worked tirelessly to keep Southwick out of the game. It wasn’t long before a further penalty corner was awarded to Bognor, which again saw Cox on the score sheet.

Southwick scrambled an equaliser just before half-time.

Bognor started the second half firing on all cylinders, taking control and pressing Southwick, not allowing them to settle. Charlotte Cox, while shrugging off several physical tackles, sent another ball goal-bound which flummoxed the keeper and landed in the net.

With the upper hand, Bognor continued to press from the midfield with Vanessa Green and new girl Emma Hunt playing pivotal roles in keeping the ball moving towards the Southwick end.

The last play of the match saw Bognor win another penalty corner, which was again converted by Charlotte Cox.

The final score being 2-4 to Bognor.

Player of the match was Debbie Cox.

BOGNOR: Theresa Cooper, Charlotte Cox, June Rogers, Karen Harmer, Clare McKnight, Debbie Cox, Helen Arnold, Kim Agate, Nadia Muncey, Lily Morris, Danielle Hannan, Vanessa Green, Emma Hunt, Sue Perry.

Chichester II 4 Portsmouth and Southsea 2

Hampshire division two

Chichester started their league season with a hard-fought victory over Portsmouth and Southsea.

They struck just before half-time after an intricate short-corner move was finished by Moon.

Portsmouth came back into the game and dominated the initial stages of the second half. They got back on level terms thanks to a fortunate penalty flick that keeper Hetherington was unlucky not to stop.

Chichester regained the lead thanks to another penalty corner expertly finished by McConachie. The defence of McConachie, Gleeson, Hagell and Farr thwarted more attacks, with Hetherington making a diving safe to prevent Portsmouth from scoring.

Chichester conceded a well-taken goal from a penalty corner but replied directly with a wonderful team goal, skilfully finished by Moon.

Moon completed his hat-trick with great support from Richardson, Sowden and O’Boyle. The final whistle was greeted by cheers from Chichester, who look to continue their winning streak against league leaders Gillingham.

CHI: Hetherington, Farr, Hagell, Gleeson, Clark, Richardson, Sowden, Moon, O’Boyle, Troy, McConachie, Benison, Dannatt.

Chi Priory Park Ladies II 2 Worthing Ladies II 5

Chichester were upbeat after last week’s victory but knew Worthing were a tough outfit.

Chi dominated for periods in the first half and this paid off with Jessop getting her first of the season with a superb reverse-stick shot past the Worthing goalie.

The opposition hit back and soon scored their first. As the half went on both sides had decent spells but Worthing, with the aid of a defender’s deflection past the goalie, who were in front at half-time.

In the second half, Chichester PP made the first move and Jessop scored her second. The play was up and down with the Chi defence having to work harder than their opponents.

Worthing scored again and this rocked Chichester’s confidence. It wasn’t lack of determination on Chi’s part but maybe the fitness levels that meant they couldn’t stop Worthing scoring with another deflected shot.

The away side finished the game off with a fifth to end a fine game, marred only by the umpire brandishing two yellow cards for repeated offences, one for each side.

Chichester travel to Brighton this weekend.

CHI PP: Jaquie Kane, Livie Knight, Alice Shoebridge, Tracy Austin, Sarah Pack, Meg Goring, Rachael Trent , Jenny Horton , Damelza Peak, Sarah Jessop, Holly Gyles, Jenna Greenway.

Southwick Ladies 1 Middleton Ladies 5

Middleton travelled to face last year’s second-placed team.

After a hesitant start in which they were lucky not to concede a goal, Middleton’s focus intensified and they led 3-0 at half-time.

A sharp team talk during the break helped push the girls forward into the second half and to net two more goals. A moment of inattention allowed Southwick to pull one back, but the final score of 5-1 reflected the hard work put in by the whole team.