Chichester get the job done – as they had to...
Hockey
Chichester 4 Isca 0 Conference West
Sometimes you can’t ‘win’ when you play games against weaker opposition.
A garden variety win will lead observers to say ‘that was expected all along’ and anything like a draw or a loss is interpreted as the proverbial ‘end of the world’.
This is what confronted Chichester at home to Isca.
The Exeter-based team had not won a game this season and the expectation was for a Chichester stroll.
But Chichester knew this could be a banana skin and the start proved exactly that.
Chichester started at a low tempo, hindered by a pitch that played unusually slowly in the spring sunshine, and Isca were able to apply pressure on keeper Chris Bristow.
As substitutions started to come on, the game began to turn. Andrew Sparshot injected a little energy and, after some magic from Alex Holton and a great pass from Ollie Baxter, was rewarded with the first goal.
This seemed to settle Chi and within ten minutes they created another opportunity for Baxter, who was upended. The penalty stroke was missed by Alex Pendle, recently selected for the GB development squad, but he produced a well-taken field Jess Gleeson in possession for Chichester ladies at home to Haslemere
goal two minutes later. The second half really was mostly one-way.
Isca sat deep inside their own half, trying to fend off Chichester attacks.
Luke Emmett; Alex Messenger and Alex Holton started to find each other with increasing ease in midfield but what was lacking were additional goals.
In the end, Matthew Sewell, captain for the day as Alex Thakore is nursing a broken rib, broke the deadlock to make it 3-0.
It was the start of a ferocious period from Chichester though confused umpiring and sloppiness kept it to 4-0.
Chichester Ladies 0 Haslemere 4
Chichester lost to Haslemere in a critical game as they battle to avoid a relegation play-off.
Chi dominated the opening play with smooth passing. Excellent defensive skills from Victoria Mcallister, linking with Demelza Peake and Jess Gleeson, meant Haslemere were kept out.
A lucky break brought a goal against keeper Claire Goodger-greenway.
With some fine running from the forwards and a fantastic pass from Katie Rose, Chichester were unlucky not to level as Sally Bradley could not make the final conversion.
The midfield of Rachel Meayler, Meg Hattemore, Meg Goring and Sam Mann fought to ensure Chichester were still in it going into half-time.
After the break Lottie Greenlees took a painful blow to the knee but battled on.
Chichester were awarded several short corners for Claire Greenway to try to find her range but Haslemere blocked them.
Meg Hattemore defended bravely but stopped the ball on the line with her foot and Haslemere converted the penalty flick. As Chichester tired Haslemere added two more to push Chichester into the play-off position.