Blues up to fifth thanks to Harris
Isaac Bello’s first half strike and another goal from Josh Clack after the break gave a spirited Chichester their first league win since early November, despite being reduced to nine-men.
Emmett Dunn was OK to play against Hythe after his sending off midweek in the 4-0 loss away at league leaders Ramsgate, and there were just two changes to the starting XI that lined up on that occasion withconnorcodyreturningto the club in place of Joe Moore and Ethan Prichard replacing Kyle O’brien.
Chichester came into this match on the back of four straight defeats in all competitionsandwithoutawinatthe Cannons’ ground in four seasons at step four.
A 0-0 in 2019/20 was followedbyanevenshortercampaigncurtailedbycovid,alast minutelossin2021/22,andanother single goal set-back in 2022/23.
Ethan Smith had the first genuine chance of the match acoupleofminutesinbutcurtis Da Costa made a fine block. Then, moments later, Lex Allanspurnedanotheropportunityforthehostsatcloserange followingafranniecollinfreekick.
Chi opened the scoring after Clack found Bello with a defence splitting pass and the No7 tucked the ball past Steve Phillips.
Clack doubled the lead against the run of play, shimmying past Smith and curling a lovely effort beyond Phillips in the 72nd minute.
Chi ‘hosted’ Merstham on Tuesday evening. Chichester entertain West Sussex neighbours Broadbridge Heath this Saturday.
– IAN WORDEN
Hastingsunited1,rocks1 Isthmian Premier
Dan Smith stayed ice-cool to slot home from the spot and earn battling Bognor Regis Town a 1-1 draw at Hastings United in the Isthmian Premier Division.
Apointwastheleastrobbie Blake's men deserved after a superbsecondhalfdisplayand the Nye Camp boss firmly believes his side could have won thesussexderbyclashinfront of 972 fans at the Pilot Field.
Smith had been taken downintheboxbyhomekeepercharliegraingerinthe55th minute and he stepped up to dispatchfrom12yardstobring the scores level.
Hastings dominated the openinghalfandtooka1-0lead on 24 minutes as David Rodari scored from a penalty. But despite lots of possession the Us couldn'taddtotheiradvantage.
Talkingtorocksradio'speter Kelly-sullivan, Blake said: “It was a brilliant game of football and I have got to say it was an immense performance.
“We sat off them a little bit in the first half and showed them a little bit too much respect and we got in to them at half time.
“We tweaked a few little things in terms of tactics and lookedatsomeoftheerrorswe weremaking,changeditalittle bit and we completely dominated the second half.
“To a man we were unbelievable.
"Tocomethroughthepostponements and the injuries, it just goes to show that we have tostopfearingteamsandmake sure that teams are fearing us because when we play like we did in the second half, we were immense."
Any one of the Bognor schemerscouldhavepickedup the man-of-the-match award but midfielder Matt Burgess got the nod and Blake says he wouldn'targuewiththechoice.
He added: "That was the best game by a country mile that Matty has played for us and I have just told him that is hisstandardnow,heshouldn't drop below that level.
“It was a great team performance and we are almost disappointed that we drew because we have had some clearcut chances in the second half.
“To a man the attitude, commitment and dedication to the club and myself and Jamie [Howell] was second to none."
– CARL ELDRIDGE
Pagham 0, Peacehaven & Telscombe 0
SCFL Premier
Pagham had to battle hard for a well-deserved point against high-flying Peacehaven & Telscombe at Nyetimber Lane on a very gluey pitch last Saturday.
This was not, it has to be said, a footballing classic but in very cold, damp conditions itcouldhardlybeexpected,especiallyasthelionshadnoless than seven players missing for one reason or another.
Thefirsthalfonlyproduced onemomentofrealexcitement when Pagham keeper Conor Kelly pulled off an excellent if unorthodox save to a shot from outside the box around half-way through the period.
– PAUL DAVISON
Rustington 2, Bosham 5 SCFL Division 2
A sparkling display by Bosham, on a sticky and difficult pitch, enabled the reds to stay top of SCFL Division 2 over Christmas with both Jarvis Brook and Storrington still hot on their heels.
Bosham opened the scoring through through the everimpressive Olliver Hawkins Before a sniper’s finish from Jordan Lee Clark drew things level.clarkthengothissecond to stun Reds.
But captain, Pat Bulbeck, ralliedthetroopsandtwogoals from Ashley Harris and two more from Hawkins to completehishat-trickgavebosham an impressive win.
– ALAN PRICE
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Selsey 2, Montpelier Villa 1 SCFL Division 2
Evan Harris’ quick brace sent the Blues up to fifth in Southern Combination Football League.
The Seal Bay Stadium saw an early chance for Montpelier when Jack Baden’s cross found the head of David Sharman who put his effort narrowly wide. Jack Green’s shot-come-cross almost troubled Jack Wyatt as it looped wide of the post.
But it was the Blues who were on target as Harris coolly finished a Ryan Morey ball.
Harris then picked the ball up wide and travelled along the by-line in the 30th minute. Louis Peach blocked the initial effort, but Harris found the gap in the goal and calmly slotted home to double the Blues’ lead.
The visitors responded only three minutes later when Shay Tobin was first to Baden’s cross to head past Jack Wyatt in the six-yardbox.
Montpelier's hopes of copying Selsey's two quick goals were broken by Jack North. He determinedly denied the visitors a first half equaliser with an impressive block after Ramon Santos won the ball from Wyatt outside of his box before setting up Harley Damario’s blocked shot.
Before the half time whistle, Thomas Shelley earned himself a sin bin giving Selsey a further advantage.
Wyatt’s strong stop denied the visitors after Baden’s corner met Damario’s header before he was put through on goal from Connor Martin’s flick and missed the target.
Only moments later Damario found himself in the same situation and again put the ball wide to give Selsey a lifeline.
Daren Pearce’s side came close to sealing the victory when Corey Burns flicked Bradley Higgins-pearce’s free-kick to substitute Thomas Blamire but the visiting defence cleared the ball before any trouble.
The visitors came close to a late equaliser when Fraser Cox’s headed effort missed the target from Baden’s corner.
The Blues continued to battle and give everything earning three points before Christmas when the Blues next face Arundel on Boxing Day (11am).