It's Chichester's turn to pull the plug on Bath

There's cup action for Chichester's men and a couple of tough assignments for the club's ladies' teams in our latest hockey round-up.
Alex Thakore in recent action for Chichester / Picture by Kate ShemiltAlex Thakore in recent action for Chichester / Picture by Kate Shemilt
Alex Thakore in recent action for Chichester / Picture by Kate Shemilt

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Bath 2 Chichester 2

(Chi win 3-1 on pen flicks)

Chichester are through to the third round of the EHL Cup after winning a close-fought affair at Bath.

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When these sides met a fortnight ago it didn’t go in Chichester’s favour.

Chichester started this game strongly with numerous attacks and were able to dictate the game early on.

Halfway through the first half Matt Cox got behind the Bath defence and was able to dribble along the baseline and pass across the goalface for a tap-in by Luke Emmett to give Chichester a well-earned lead.

Chichester didn’t want to settle for a 1-0 lead and kept up with the pressure, which resulted in a well-deserved short corner converted into the top corner by Jamie Whitehouse – his first goal for his new club.

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After the break Bath were trying hard to get back into the game.

Midway through the half, Bath broke through the Chichester defence and in a goalmouth scramble put the ball into the goal.

Chichester needed another goal but the pressure Chichester were putting on Bath left the visitors open to a counter-attack and Bath capitalised to bring the game back to 2-2.

That meant the game had to be decided on penalty flicks. Chichester didn’t have the best of starts with their first flick saved.

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Chichester weren’t too worried, knowing they had Maciej Pacanowski in goal, and he made an unbelievable stick save high to his right to keep the score 0-0 in flicks.

Chichester put away their next two flicks and Pacanowski saved the next flick, making the score 2-0.

Bath got one back before Chichester scored another penalty flick, making the score 3-1. It was score-or-out for Bath and Pacanowski pulled off yet another save, meaning that Chichester move to the next round and a derby against Havent.

Chi Ladies 1 Horsham Ladies 2nds 3

With Chichester two players down, it was sure to be a tough game against Horsham.

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Horsham started well but Chichester held their own and effective passing from Natty Halliday, Meg Goring and Amy Chaplin boosted them.

Speedy runs from Mirriam Sparshott and Lottie Greenlees on the right meant the ball was being repeatedly found in the D but Horsham’s goalie was a tough opponent to beat.

Horsham opened the scoring ten minutes in. But Chichester stepped it up and excellent passing to Holly Gyles from Rachel Mealyer gave Gyles chances for shots on goal.

Chichester conceded a second goal just before half-time.

After the break, Cita Haines showed excellent dribbling around the Horsham players while courageous defending from Sally Bradley meant the team looked assured at the back.

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Stylish runs from Rachel Trent and Jess Gleeson saw Chichester build the pressure.

Movement from Demelza Peake in midfield meant more opportunities came and with nifty passing in the D from Peake, Haines and Goring, Chichester made it 2-1 through Goring.

Superb goalkeeping from Steph Kalber ensured Chichester were able to focus on attacking but Chichester conceded a third before the whistle.

Chichester host Burgess Hill this weekend, buoyed by the effort and determination shown against Horsham.

Chichester Ladies 2nds 0 Burgess Hill 2nds 0

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Chichester knew they had to steady the ship after a defeat and with a few players unavailable they had a different line-up.

But the new-look team gelled and made it very difficult for Burgess Hill to get any momentum.

Burgess Hill were quite a physical side but younger players Xenia Trueman and Charlotte Binning did not let it faze them.

There was excellent work and brilliant tackling by Alex Hurd at centre-back.

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Chichester fought hard and had a great deal of possession. Hill had some fast forwards and when the defence couldn’t match them Claire Young in goal could.

Passing was improved and towards the end of the second half, Hill put pressure on a tiring Chi side and had a flurry of penalty corners.

But with Cheryl Parrott and Hurd harrying the opposition, they couldn’t convert them.

Chichester: Claire Young, Tracy Austin, Jenna Greenway, Cheryl Parrott, Alana Deacon, Harriet Gray, Merryn Young, Alex Hurd, Charlotte Binning, Tendo Manyarara, Xenia Trueman, Maddy Wright.

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