Chichester City in fine fettle ahead of FA Vase derby

City picked up the useful 2-2 first-division draw against mid-table Hassocks to keep them hovering away from the relegation zone.

“We dominated the game and were the more likely to go on and score the winning goal,” said Twitchen. “It was pretty disappointing not to come away with all three points. But overall it was a good psychological boost ahead of the game with Pagham.

“The team are much improved. We’ll be the underdogs, but we’ll be competitive.”

Chichester made a terrible start against Hassocks. From the very first set-piece, a defensive error allowed Robins’ Louis Pople to score with a headed goal.

But the City players showed great spirit and soon worked their way back into contention. After the break they started to boss the game with goals from Ken Hagan and Jack Blatchford putting them ahead.

Almost immediately, Hassocks hit back and levelled when Phil Johnson’s effort came off an opponent for an own goal.

City captain Perry Northeast, who missed the game with a groin injury, said: “After a poor start, the lads were unlucky not to take all three points and played some great football in the second half.”

Northeast is rated 50/50 to recover in time for Saturday’s clash.

Chichester host Worthing United in a league game next Tuesday.

CITY: Evans, Cody, Baker, D Smith, Boniface, Bradshaw, Blatchford, Hagan, Parsons, Dormer, T Smith. Subs: Hibbert, Potter, Watts.

CHESTER BROWTON