Chichester City end on losing note at YMCA

Teenager Adam Beauvoisin made his first-team debut for City but there was nothing he could do to stop the unmarked Nick Sullivan from heading in at the far post on nine minutes from a Dave Brown corner.

YM’s lead lasted only seven minutes, however, with Kieran Hartley quickly getting away down the right and delivering a low cross that was bundled by defender Matt Crane into his own net.

The hosts restored their advantage on 31 minutes with a well-worked move in midfield that led to Nick Sullivan delivering a perfect cross for his brother Dan to head in and make it 2-1.

Ten minutes later YM went further head when Brown crossed from the left and Nick Sullivan produced a sharp first-time finish to claim his second of the afternoon.

Hartley and Josh Clack both had good chances for City immediately before the break, but three minutes into the second half Sullivan claimed his hat-trick with an easy close-range finish after Anthony Hibbert had broken away in acres of space.

Chichester saw out the game strongly, and on 71 minutes Hartley headed home at the near-post from Clack’s corner to reduce the arrears.

But despite having most of the possession late on, City could have conceded further goals with Beauvoisin pulling off a superb save to deny Nick Sullivan, while Lee Wood hit the post for YM.

YM boss Peter Buckland said: “Maybe the game was tighter than everyone thought it was going to be. Chichester aren’t a bad side - they have got a good work ethic and they’re capable of upsetting teams.”

CITY: Beauvoisin, Williams, Bingham, Pearce, Cody, Hegarty, Hartley, Case, Clack, Frangou, Wild. Subs: Smith, Roberts.

TOM NORRIS