Chichester can't make their mark at Spencer

South open premier div one

With both teams being dragged into a relegation battle, victory was much-needed by both teams.

Chichester were first to make an impact, but Luke Emmett was unable to meet a Martin Gough cross. Spencer dominated the remainder of the half but fine saves from Dan Godsmark kept the score to 0-0 at half-time.

This was the first time this season Chichester’s had not conceded in the opening half.

In the second half neat interplay between the Cox brothers saw two chances created, but Chichester were unable to capitalise.

Chichester finally managed to get the opener with Cameron Mead and Martin Gough linking up for the latter to tap the ball in.

But Chichester soon had their backs against the wall and an umpiring error enabled Spencer to win a penalty corner and equalise.

Chichester continued to create opportunities but they were met by a resilient Spencer keeper.

At the final whistle, both teams knew a point had only continued their fight for survival.

Chichester need a minimum of four points from their final two games to ensure safety.

CHICHESTER: Godsmark, Hodge, Spear, McLaughlin, Lunn, Matthews, Lerwill, M Cox,

G Cox, Emmett, Sparshot, Mead, Gough.

Burgess Hill 0 Chichester Priory Park Ladies II 4

CHICHESTER’S penultimate game confirmed they’d retain their place in the Sussex premier league.

They began with plenty of grit and determination and in the 20th minute Beth Marks was in an excellent position a metre from the goalline to make it 1-0.

Chichester were playing with great resolve and Hudson made it 2-0 before half-time.

Midway through the second half, Austin passed to Thew, who turned and scored in the far corner.

Hudson popped up with a reverse sweep under the goalie to make sure of a well-earned win – and survival.

CHICHESTER: Chantelle Hedge, Jordan Savage, Mel Banks, Mel Howarth, Tracy Austin, Vicky Holden, Amy Chaplin, Laura Staples, Lyndsay Hudson, Emily Ursall, Sally Thew, Beth Marks.

Chichester Ladies 6

Spencer Ladies 2

South Clubs Women’s

Hockey League

Chichester were fast out of the traps and Cox found Whittle, who opened the scoring.

Sambel and Cox increased the Chichester lead. Chichester forced a penalty corner which captain Sambel struck on the reverse side over a diving keeper to rattle against the backboard.

Spencer managed a goal against the run of play before the interval.

In the second half, Cox shone for Chichester, creating constant menace for the Spencer defenders. She and Whittle increased the Chichester tally.

CHICHESTER: Hlynianski, Coppin, Cox, Ferkins, Helome, Hill, Sambel, Kimber, Kuntze, Knight, Marks, Stevens, Whittle.

Chi Cherubs 2 Lewes Lions 1

Sussex Development League

Chichester bounced back from the disappointment of a 2-0 defeat by Horsham.

Chichester started well and Clark looked to link with Sowden to drive Chichester forward. With Gibbons, they carved out opportunities and looked to threaten. Gibbons found space and an exchange of passes led to Sowden striking the ball in.

Chichester doubled their lead, again through Sowden.

Lewes attacked down their right and forced a goal.

The second half was cagey with Lewes looking more threatening. But outstanding defending by Rob Gibbons and Alder in goal kept them at bay.

Chichester, still outsiders for the league, play Hailsham this week.

CHERUBS: Alder, Beresford, Gibbons R, Gleeson J, Gleeson T, Woodruff, Clark, Lowther, Gibbons C, Sowden, Palmer, Stemp, Hindmarsh

Havant U14 8 Chi U14 2

Chichester were behind in the second minute after a chance strike saw the ball loop unintentionally over Hetherington. Havant extended their lead with two more quick goals.

Havant struck again before Chichester got on the scoresheet with Robson converting after a scramble in the D.

Havant took a quick hit and forced their way into the Chichester area to increase their lead before half-time.

After the interval, Chichester created opportunities but often over-complicated things.

Robson showed the way forward with a quickly-taken shot, but Havant were still threatening and ran out convincing winners.

CHICHESTER: Hetherington, Creswick, Robinson, Gleeson, Collins, Troy, Fitzgerald, Woodruff, Robson, Stemp, Hindmarsh, Palmer, Green, Hayward.

Chichester PP Cannons 2 Brighton & Hove 7

Cannons hosted Brighton and Hove VI without a goalkeeper and with two players recovering from illness and injury.

They were at an immediate disadvantage and rapidly conceded a number of goals. Rebecca Barnes, unanimously voted player of the match, scored for the Cannons and the half-time tally was 5-1. The second half brought the arrival of the Chichester goalkeeper, two more goals for Brighton and one from Chichester’s Klare Cousins.

New players Debbie Buckley, Holly Marks and Isabel Edwards played a brilliant match, with great stick skills and amazing teamwork.

Bournemth 2 Chichester II 2

Hampshire-Surrey Regional League One

Bournemouth opened the scoring after the break with a breakaway goal going in off man-of-the-match Veltom. They backed this up with a series of penalty corners and went 2-0 up.

Chichester drove forward and secured a penalty corner which Strudwick expertly converted. They continued to apply pressure and when Woodruff found Moon in the D, he struck at the back post.

CHICHESTER: Gotham, Dale, Veltom, Dougal, Palmer, Holten, Green, Stockbridge, Woodruff, Moon, Strudwick, Powell-Jones.

n Chichester Bad Habits drew 2-2 with East Grinstead Ladies III in

Sussex Ladies League division three. Kim Howarth and Abbi Darke were their scorers.