Bognor Regis Town rise to Chal-lenge at Gosport

Tom Chalaye hit a hat-trick as Bognor turned on the style to claim a 3-1 pre-season friendly victory over a strong Gosport Borough outfit at Privett Park on Friday night.
Bognor battle at Gosport / Picture: Martin DenyerBognor battle at Gosport / Picture: Martin Denyer
Bognor battle at Gosport / Picture: Martin Denyer

The former Worthing attacker, 20, grabbed his first with a header from a well worked corner kick on 15 minutes before the home side pulled back a leveller just before the break through the lively Billie Busari.

But Chalaye gave Robbie Blake's side the advantage once more on 48 minutes, charging down the dithering home keeper to force the ball over the line.

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Shaun Gayle's side had the chance to bring it to 2-2 after visiting keeper Taylor Seymour gave away a penalty but the young custodian redeemed himself with a smart save down to his left.

Celebrations after one of Tom Chalaye's goals / Picture: Tommy McMillanCelebrations after one of Tom Chalaye's goals / Picture: Tommy McMillan
Celebrations after one of Tom Chalaye's goals / Picture: Tommy McMillan

The irrepressible Chalaye then pounced once again to make it 3-1 with a cool finish on 78 minutes to seal the thoroughly deserved win and crown an impressive performance from this young Bognor side.

Blake was chuffed to see Chalaye grab a treble and praised his overall attitude and desire, adding: "Tom was brilliant, his work ethic and movement were fantastic and if he can replicate that week in week out for us he will help create us chances and scores goals."

On the team display, he said: "We were very good to be fair. For a team that has had six sessions and our second game, to be where we are, we are really pleased with it. They have taken on board what me and Jamie (Howell, assistant manager) are saying and how, in and out of possession, we are trying to apply ourselves.

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"We want to win every game because it gives confidence to your players but irrespective of the result it was about the performance and we played very well tonight.

"We are a very fit side -- fair play to the players, they have come back and are in really good shape and the things we are asking them to do, they can do it because of their fitness levels. Neil (Cockcroft, fitness coach) and Jamie need to take a little bit of credit for that because they are predominantly taking training. Overall, we are really pleased with how things are progressing."

Rocks starting line-up: 1 Taylor Seymour, 2 Josh McCormick, 3 Joe Rabbetts, 4 Calvin Davies 5 Danny Howick 6 Craig Robson 7 Sam St De Le Croix 8 Isaac Olaniyan 9 Tom Chalaye 10 Charlie Bell 11 Brad Lethbridge.

BLAKE ON ISTHMIAN FIXTURES

Bognor manager Robbie Blake says he is relishing the new Isthmian premier division campaign after the season's fixtures were published today.

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The Rocks will kick off the term with a home game against Hornchurch on Saturday, August 13, and follow it up with a midweek fixture on the road at Cray Wanderers on Wednesday, August 17, 2022

And Blake insists a decent start is imperative for confidence. He said: "A good start is a must, really for all the reasons you can imagine -- with confidence in our ability and style of play chief among them. A home game is fantastic because it means we get to play in front of our fantastic fans and we aim to give them a great opening day.

"We know all about Hornchurch and their strengths and they will come to Nyewood Lane looking to impose themselves. It should be a cracker. Then we are away to Cray and that too will be a test. We can't wait to get underway to be honest."

Blake and assistant boss Jamie Howell have been busy putting their charges through their paces as they assemble their squad and were delighted to be leading Littlehampton 2-0 on Monday night before an injury meant the game was abandoned. They won 3-1 at Gosport thanks to a Tom Chalaye hat-trick on Friday night and will host a Portsmouth XI on Wednesday July 20, (7.45pm kick-off).