City go Wild to tame Lions

Jimmy Wild scored the first hat-trick of his career as Chichester City beat Pagham 3-0 in the Southern Combination premier to make it ten games unbeaten and end 2015 on a high.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Dec 2015, 13:10 BST

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Goalmouth action in City's win over pagham / Picture by Roger SmithGoalmouth action in City's win over pagham / Picture by Roger Smith
Goalmouth action in City's win over pagham / Picture by Roger Smith

Chichester took the early initiative when Wild hit a shot from long distance which deceived James Binfield at his near post and went in. Wild didn’t have to wait long for his second – just three minutes later he and debutant Alfie Rutherford, on dual forms from Bognor, combined brilliantly to set Rutherford away down the left.

He looked up and as Binfield came rushing out to intercept the pass, the ball deflected kindly to Wild on the edge of the box and he calmly knocked it into the empty net.

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Chichester were playing with great confidence, and Rutherford nearly got a goal himself – this time Wild turned provider when he found Rutherford, who wriggled through the tight defence and hit a shot on target, only to see Binfield produce a great diving save.

In the second half, Chichester did not attempt to sit back on their lead and they got their reward when Rutherford was fouled inside the area. Wild stepped up to take the penalty and he coolly put the ball past Binfield, giving him his hat-trick.

It could have been even better for Wild when got on the end of a Josh Clack cross, but despite his shot having plenty of power it lacked accuracy.

Pagham started to put pressure on the Chi goal and nearly scored when Lloyd Rowlatt cut inside and hit a shot, only to strike the underside of the bar.

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When Pagham did get the ball in the net it was ruled out for offside. Despite Pagham’s late attacking threat, Chichester held on to their 3-0 lead – their fourth clean sheet in a row.

CITY: Hook, Williams, Bingham, Edwards, Horncastle, French, Clack, Hegarty, Wild (Smith 89) Rutherford, Hartley. Subs unused: Boulton, Robinson, Forry, Way.

ANDREW JOLLY

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Related topics:Chichester City