City’s winning run goes on... Dean held
Josh Clack’s first-half penalty and goals after the break from Jimmy Wild and Ethan Prichard gave Chichester a comfortable win away at Ashford as they guaranteed an Isthmian south east division play-off spot, with both Lancing and Herne Bay dropping points.
The achievement came on an emotional day for the club’s management, players and fans, just two days after assistant manager Graeme Gee passed away.
A minute’s silence was observed before kick-off.
Boss Miles Rutherford went with the same starting XI that lined up against Erith & Belvedere for a 6-1 win last time out, with Emmett Dunn, Lloyd Rowlatt, Kaleem Haitham, Olly Munt and Prichard on the bench.
Captain Connor Cody conceded a corner in the first minute after Max Walsh and Robbie Rees broke down the left. Walsh took it and Clack cleared easily enough.
Wild then won a throwin off an Ashford defender which Isaac Bello launchedm with the ball going out for a Chi corner.
MOM Joe Moore delivered it and the visitors had a couple of shots before earning a corner on the other side which Rob Hutchings took.
Next, Joe Clarke was well in and neat play from Bello helped the Sussex side advance the ball again.
Keeper Kieran Magee had a tricky free-kick to deal with after Noah Carney won a setpiece off Ryan Davidson and gave away a corner which Walsh took and Curtis Da Costa cleared.
Magee made a decent stop to deny Carney. Walsh sent over the subsequent corner and Wild cleared firmly.
It was all a bit tentative and a number of Chi passes went astray. Wild’s cross was steered out for a Chi throw on 14 minutes and the hosts were flagged offside in their next move.
Wild hit a super shot and Bello, following up, failed to get a decent connection.
Clack and Wild exchanged passes in the subsequent attack but the move broke down as Mo Jammeh got dispossessed.
Chi were awarded a penalty on the half hour. Clack stepped up and tucked this neatly away to break the deadlock.
The home side, who have been through a few changes recently, had a go and won a throw that came to nothing; Wild mishit one at the other end; a few poor crosses also came to nothing, and Davidson wasn’t far off at the far post meeting Moore’s corner.
The same Chi player then carved out a chance but his shot didn’t have enough power.
Walsh fouled Cody and Clack couldn’t connect with the free-kick. Wild headed over a minute or two before half time, then Clack cut inside and had a go but was just off target.
Walsh the got flagged offside down the right flank and Moore did brilliantly to tidy up as Stanley Oldfield threatened.
Hutchings did well to hold Todd Brand off as he hooked up with skipper Ian Draycott. Next, a Brand effort was missed by Draycott as it rebounded.
Ashford saw a lot more of the ball in this opening 10-minute spell but failed to capitalise. Clack, Wild and Jammeh combined in a neat move before Davidson cut out
Walsh’s cross on the hour. Oldfield spurned a headed chance and Clack fired one over after a determined Wild won the ball.
Magee was on hand to claim Walsh’s cross from the left before a move involving Hutchings and Jammeh was snuffed out.
Rowlatt replaced Jammeh just after Bello almost played Wild in up top.
Another Bello throw was cleared then collected by Nuts & Bolts keeper Chiedoze Nwosu before the hosts won a free-kick for a Clarke hand ball.
In the 68th minute the visitors doubled the lead after a lovely Rowlatt ball to Bello teed Wild up for his 16th goal in this fine 13-game unbeaten run.
Ashford rang the changes before Prichard was introduced for Bello. It was 3-0 a couple of minutes later as Prichard also bagged his 16th of the season in all competitions.
Walsh sent a free-kick through everyone on 74 for a Chi goal kick.
Chi defender Davidson did well to win a goal kick and Prichard hit a poor cross, then tried to link up with Wild.
Haitham came on for Wild with seven to go and 60 seconds later Clarke hit a Moore pass over.
A poor clearance by Magee fell to Rees on 87 and the left-back cracked one in off the post to make it 3-1.
Prichard gathered Haitham’s pass but his cross was cleared.
Chi might have added another goal in this time but Nwosu denied Prichard late on and that play-off spot was safe.
High-flying Ramsgate travel to Oaklands Park on Saturday (3pm).
East Dean 1 Goring CC 1 WSFL Division 1
East Dean and Goring are battling for a promotion spot but had to share the points here.
Goring had the first chance but Joby Oram made a good save as the striker ran through.
East Dean had a few chances and took the lead through James Crane after Jason Houghton slipped a pass to him and set him up to shoot home.
East Dean had efforts to extend the lead. Matthew Langton nearly scored a screamer but his shot on the turn was brilliantly saved, while Ollie Cook’s footwork beat four men before he dragged a shot wide.
Goring equalised following a counter from a foul throw. Crane nearly got a second but neither side could find a winner. Dean are third in Division One.