Eight-goal thriller fails to find a Vase winner at Oaklands Park

Chichester looked to be a class above their Combined Counties League opponents after taking a 2-0 lead within the first few minutes, but the visitors fought back well and forced the game into extra time.

Debutant James Archer opened the scoring for Chichester with an exquisite 20 yard half-volley which sailed into the top corner and Joe Briggs doubled the lead following a well executed short free-kick with Brockway.

After the initial shock, South Park gradually came back into the game and Kieran Lavery was twice denied by fine saves from Matt Short and an overhead attempt by the same player just skimmed the crossbar.

The visitors pulled one back on the half-hour when a sweeping move down the left involving six players ended with Dale Burgess stroking the ball home from 12 yards.

City regained their two goal lead five minutes later when Adrian Brockway converted a penalty after Michael Stone had pulled Temple's shirt in the box.

The turning point in the match came ten minutes into the second half when James Ford was harshly sent off for stamping on an opponent's foot.

Chichester's discipline continued to deteriorate when Broadbent was booked for a lunging challenge just outside the box and Dave Burgess made it 3-2 from the resultant free-kick.

South Park completed their comeback on 83 minutes when substitute Dan Mottram lobbed the ball over Short to force the game into extra time.

Lavery gave the visitors a 4-3 lead in the first minute but then turned villain at the start of the second period of extra time when being dismissed for an off the ball incident.

It was left for Shawn Benjamin to complete the thrilling afternoon when he glanced home a Cutler corner with the last touch of the game to force a midweek replay.

That, as reported on the back page, resulted in a resounding win for City as they made it eight goals in two games against South Park.

It secured a trip to Peacehaven & Telscombe near Brighton on Saturday week in the first round proper.

CHICHESTER: Short, Hickman, Broadbent, Bryan, Benjamin, Ford, Briggs (Moore), Cutler, Temple, Archer (Madgwick), Brockway (James).

MARTIN SMITH