Bosham aren't buzzing ... City's delightful dozen

Walberton Wasps 2 Bosham Yth 2

Bosham had the slightly brighter start with a couple of early chances, but Walberton, who’d lost twice to Bosham this season, settled into their game better.

Walberton enjoyed some good spells and with their aerial advantage had the better of the midfield tussle.

On 20 minutes, Bosham conceded a free-kick and a Walberton striker volleyed it past Will Burch in the Bosham goal.

Five minutes later, Bosham were back on terms when Jack Antony struck a great 30-yard free kick past the Walberton keeper.

Walberton regained the lead from a corner that Burch failed to clear.

But with two minutes left in the first half, the ball broke to Rob Hayler whose great ball into the box was met by Charlie Hawes to volley home from six yards.

The second half saw Bosham start to keep the ball better. Both teams had chances but were not decisive in their finishing.

There were appearances from Adil Rahman, James Adams and Aaron Domblides.

It was evident that Bosham had one eye on the Invitation Cup final and were cautious in their final half hour.

BOSHAM: Burch, Brown, d’Agar, Andrews, Fewell, Hayler, Callen, Carter, Antony, Todd, Hawes, Rahman, Adams, Domblides.

* Bosham have thanked Lewis Mitsubishi in Bosham for their support and sponsorship this season. Director Paul Tregear has been a keen follower and keeps tabs on their progress every week.

It’s vital for clubs to have a good sponsor in the local community and the firm have provided the team with kit sponsorship for the past two seasons.

Chichester City 12 Shoreham 1

This was City’s first league action for 11 weeks and with other title contenders out of action, it represented a chance to convert games in hand into points.

Ollie Gearing, 16, made his county debut in goal, while Corey Heath and Ollie Lotten slotted into the back four.

Utility man Rob Madden proved his versatility in some style, notching six goals in the 60 minutes he was on the pitch.

Two further strikes by skipper Connor Cody, a first of the season for Lynch and goals from Groom, Bigwood and Manners completed the dozen.

Lotten and Heath produced steady performances alongside McGreal and Connors in the home rearguard while Gearing was beaten only once from the spot.

This was a convincing victory for a side still in contention for an unprecedented four trophies this season. There are going to be sterner tests to come for City’s young guns but this does keep the title charge alive and sets them up nicely for Sunday’s tricky trip to Sidley in the league cup quarter-final and next Thursday’s Sussex Cup final with Burgess Hill.

CITY: Gearing, McGreal, Lotten, Heath, Cody, Lynch, Barton, Groom, Bigwood, Bugiel (Madden 60), Forry.

Barnham Youth 2 Ferring Youth 2

Barnham went close on a number of occasions with Ben Perkins, Marcus Taylor and Johnny James all making decisive runs up the line and providing a variety of dangerous crosses. But no-one could conjure up the finish needed.

Against the run of play, Ferring split the Barnham defence and a low cross ended with a simple tap-in.

It was no more than Barnham deserved when a classic floating free-kick from Markie Gilbert saw a glancing header from a Ferring player send the ball into his own net to to level the scores.

In the second half Barnham pressed Ferring back into their own half. But a Ferring corner sailed over the defence, seemingly into the safe hands of Barnham Joe Dubben - only for the ball to slip through and in.

With ten minutes to go a foul in the Barnham box saw a penalty given and Dubben redeem himself with a fantastic low diving save to keep Barnham in the game.

Substitute Pete Dearden saved Barnham’s blushes when he struck a low shot into the back of the Ferring net again to equalise and conclude with the same scoreline as their first encounter this season.

BARNHAM: Dubben, Davidson, Roberts, Walsh, Perkins, Temple, Menzies, Taylor, Gilbert, Richards, James. Subs: Wagstaff, Dearden.