Chichester hockey stars gain honours from Oxford University clash

Chichester made it three wins from three with a 5-2 triumph against an Oxford Univeristy side who had lost their first four.

They got off to the perfect start with a goal after just 45 seconds when Matt Cox broke through the Oxford defence, played a neat 1-2 with Cameron Mead and slotted the ball past a stranded Oxford keeper.

Chichester continued to press for a second, but paid the price for commiting too many men forward, which left their defence isolated for Oxford to tap in an equaliser.

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Chichester restored their lead when another slick move from Andrew Sparshot and Martin Gough found James Lunn free at the back post for an easy tap-in to mark his 50th Chichester first XI appearance.

Oxford were on level terms when sloppy distribution from Chichester enabled a forward to rifle home a shot.

With just a few minutes to go before half-time, Gerald Cox won the ball in the Chichester half and moved it on to Jack 
Lerwill, who beat a player and fed Steven Spear, who had made an overlapping run down the right.

He played a pinpoint pass to Mead, who deflected the ball in to give Chichester a 3-2 lead at half-time.

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In the second half, Chichester dominated from the start. The defence of Spear, Gittens, Cox and Matthews rejected any attempt by Oxford to get back into the game.

Every time Chichester pressed forward they felt as though they could create an opportunity, and this proved the case 
when Alex Thakore found Gough free in the D.

He smashed the ball to the back post to Lerwill, who somehow slotted the ball in while falling over.

Ten minutes later Matt Cox ensured Chichester would get all three points when his fantastic individual skill led to a goal for him.

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Chichester hope to continue their good run against Maidstone this weekend.

CHICHESTER: Godsmark, Spear (c), G.Cox, Gittens, Matthews, Lunn, Thakore, Lerwill, M.Cox, Sparshot, Mead, Holten, Gough.

Reigate 4 Chichester II 1

Chichester travelled to Reigate hoping to build on their fine second-half performance the previous week and things started well with both teams trading attacks but defences holding firm.

Reigate won the first short corner which was clinically finished. Chichester attempted to bounce back but found themselves defending another short corner.

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Ths time the ball found its way on to Ed Hodge’s foot and a penalty flick was awarded and converted.

The visitors won a short corner of their own which was sadly mis-trapped.

Reigate won another short corner just before half-time which was also converted.

Chichester were unlucky to be three down at half-time and for the second week running, Chichester had to come out fighting after the break.

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A quick break down the left led to a pass to the unmarked Dan Moon, whose shot found the far corner for his fourth of the season.

A chunky challenge resulted in another short corner for the home side and for the thrd time it found the net.

Aves was harshly sin-binned before solid defending and good saves from Gotham kept Reigate at bay.

Chichester were unable to add to their single strike but plenty of positives can be taken from the second-half performance.

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Chichester need to work on being tighter in the early stages – if they can achieve that, victories should follow.

CHICHESTER: Gotham, Dougal, Ireland, Hodge, Dale, Richmond, Mclaughlin, Aves, Pendle, Moon, Strudwick. Subs: Palmer, Pusinelli.