City slump goes on – Blues and Reds win
Chichester City slipped to a fifth straight Isthmian League loss when hosts Corinthian came from behind to beat them.
Callum Overton put City ahead after seven minutes but Charlie Clover levelled just after the half hour.
It looked all set to end 1-1 – only for Corinthian, fighting for points to get away from the bottom of the table, were awarded an 89th-minute penalty, which was converted by Oscar Housego for the winner.
The loss means the gap between City and 11th-placed Littlehampton is down to three points and Miles Rutherford’s men need to regain the form that saw them go nine unbeaten before this current slump if they’re to finish in the top half.
Chi host leaders Ramsgate on Saturday.
Selsey 5 Hailsham 0 SCFL Division 1
Saturday brought a muchawaited home game for Selsey after a few weeks of cancellations because of the weather.
The players were looking forward to playing at home again – and they didn't disappoint.
There was a strong wind blowing down the pitch which made for an interesting game.
Selsey boss Daren Pearce said: “We adapted well against the wind in the first half scoring two goals and also hitting the post and causing our visitors problems on more than one occasion.
"Goals from Bradley Higgins-pearce and Cian Griffin-tiley gave us a 2-0 lead at half-time and we had been in control for large parts of the half.
“The second half was similar to the first, with us taking control but an occasional shot or half chance coming from the visitors, with Syd Davies making a couple of good saves to keep his clean sheet intact.
"We then went about adding to our 2-0 lead with goals from Shane Brazil and a double from Akil Alleyne which gave us a good and thorough
ly deserved 5-0 victory.
"It’s been a few weeks coming but this was as close to a perfect performance... taking chances, defending well and doing the right things at the right times.
"We now have to continue this on a regular basis to keep us pushing on and maintaining these levels week in week out.”
On Tuesday night the Blues visited Billingshurst and two goals from Shane Brazil earned the three points in a 2-1 win.
On Saturday Selsey visit Montpelier Villa, then next Tuesday they go to Worthing United.
Bosham 2 Jarvis Brook 1 SCFL Division 2
Jarvis Broo were knocked off top spot by a Bosham side who showed courage, resilience and superb team spirit to outgun the visitors to maintain their late-season form.
Bosham came out of the blocks quickly and in the first minute Lewis Rustell almost snuck the ball in at the near post as the Reds surged forward.
A minute later Bosham deservedly got their noses in front and it was no surprise Rustell was the scorer. Kieran Hartley was a menace down the right and fired in a low cross which Rustell
turned into the net past keeper Matt Harman.
Bosham continued to play impressively and pinned the Blues back into their own half for lengthy periods.
On the half hour, Hartley was forced off with a head injury but Tobi Alford came on and Bosham didn’t seem to be affected by the enforced change.
Steve Smith was a danger for Brook and they grew into the half but the Bosham defence held firm with Pat Bulbeck and Ilya Donets in full control.
Early in the second half, Rustell grabbed his second. Louis Bell picked him out with a searching ball and Rustell ran on to it and fired
low past Harman into the bottom corner.
With almost 20 minutes left Boshamfound themselves under pressure when Donets picked up a second booking and a resulting red.
Within minutes the Blues were back in the tie as they surged forward and Victor Penfold struck a firm leftfoot shot past Derek Harding.
The home support roared the Reds on as the clock wound down. Rustell and Bell went close to adding to the Reds’ total before a huge roar rang round Walton Lane as the referee Neal Saxton brought an end to proceedings.
On Saturday St Francis Rangers visit Bosham before
they make the short trip to Arundel the following Wednesday for a league cup semi-final against Southwater.
Bishop’s Stortford 2 Rocks 0
Isthmian premier
Robbie Blake will eye the development of his teen aces for the remainder of this campaign before he sets out his recruitment plans ahead of next season.
That was the Rocks manager’s takeaway from the 2-0 defeat at Bishop’s Stortford in the Isthmian premier division on Saturday.
Injury-hit Bognor batted bravely throughout this windswept encounter but lost out to a Frankie Merrifield goal after 20 minutes and a 90th minute penalty from David Olufemi.
With influential players such as Isaac Olaniyan, Tom Chalaye, Craig Robson and Alfie Bridgman unavailable, Blake once again turned to youth as his side took on the title-chasing Blues. Youngsters Danny Howick and Tom Holland played their part while Joe Briffa was an unused substitute.
Blake also drafted in Josh Dockerill on loan from Pompey to bolster his side and the boss was pleased with the endeavour he saw despite the result.