Chichester can’t maintain good start in west country

Isca 6 Chichester 3 Conference West

Chichester swept into a twogoal lead at Exeter University, but were undone by three Isca penalty corner conversions in a ten-minute period either side of half-time, whichledtothewestcountry siderunningout6-2winners.

Ollie Baxter tucked away a short corner of his own to give Chichester a seventh minutelead, whichalexthakore (pictured) doubled soon after. Butproblemsbeganfor Chichester when Cuthbert pulled a goal back for Isca barely a minute later.

The game turned on its head when Tom Brooks buried three penalty corners past Chris Bristowintendevastating minutes to give Isca a 4-2 lead early in the third quarter.

“It wasverydisappointing to go ahead then allow them back into the game like that,” concededchichesterskipper Matt Sewell.

Shepherd scored Isca’s fifth before one-time Fareham player Simon Tremlett made it 6- 2 from a fourth short corner success.

Alex Baxter cut the gap in the closing stages to add a touch of respectability to the final scoreline.

Sewell added: “Their 6-3 margin of victory could have been more if had it not been for some great saves from Chris Bristow in the second half.

“It was a long day in the rain for no points.”

Elsewhere, Chi’s ladies’ first team had a superb 5-1 victory at Burgess Hill.

Chi’s men’s second team lost 2-0 at home to Andover firsts while the Chi thirds lost 4-1 at Alton.

The men’s fourths drew 1-1 with Hailsham seconds and the fifths lost 4-2 to theoreastbournecounterparts.

Thechicheter Friars lost 1-0 at Basingstoke.

Chi’s second ladies’ team had the club’s result of the day, a 9-0 success over Brighton fifths while the Chichester ladies’ thirds drew 3-3 at Burgess Hill.