Chichester ladies are finding the right combination

Away to Cambridge, the Lilywhites struggled to control the ball in their usual style during the first 45 minutes. However, Cambridge failed to capitalise and were restricted to long-distance shots which never troubled McNamara.

The second half saw the introduction of Abbey Shrubb as City pressed for a goal.

Cambridge conceded a set-piece in a dangerous area and Steph Madden, daughter of new chairman Mike Madden, stepped up to coolly head the ball into the top corner from a Shrubb delivery.

The backline of Starkey, Richardson, Paul and Hughes-Jones proved impenetrable and the match was sealed as debutant Ambler finished from a sensational pass from Wride.

Chichester face Arlesey Town on Sunday at Oaklands Park (2pm).

CITY: McNamara, Paul, Starkey, Richardson, Hughes-Jones, Wride, Widdowson, Madden, Willett, Challen, Ogden, Ambler, Shrubb.

Chichester Ladies 2 Crystal Palace 1

South-East Combination League

Chichester’s first evening match of the season saw Crystal Palace arrive at a packed Oaklands Park.

With Palace struggling to find form in the league, Chichester sensed the chance of victory- and were not disappointed, rolling out 2-1 winners.

The Palace defence couldn’t handle the onslaught of in-form Shrubb. The midfield combination of Willet, Madden, Widdowson and Wride dominated and supplied the strikers with frequent opportunities.

Palace pressed high in the later on but could not do enough.

CITY: Paul, Starkey, Richardson, Hughes-Jones, Wride, Widdowson, Madden, Willett, Challen, Ogden, Selby, Shrubb, Harrnett, Halford.

Chichester reserves were due to play Crawley – who they’d beaten 10-0 a week earlier – but they were unable to field a side so City were awarded three points and are top of the league after four games.