‘Keep fighting for every point’ – Chichester City’s vow as safety line nears
Chichester City will keep fighting for every point until the end of the Isthmian premier division – even though they’re all but safe at step three for another year.
A point from last Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to St Albans left City 16 points clear of the relegation zone – with exactly the same gap between them and the play-off places.
That says their place in the same division next season is assured but coach Darin Killpartrick says they’ll not be taking their foot off the gas.
New loan recruit Harry Bridle – a forward borrowed by Gillingham – put City ahead against St Albans, who levelled before half-time. Neither side could find a second-half winner.
Killpartrick said: “We created some incredible chances in the first half and their keeper made one unbelievable save – one of the best I have seen this season.
"We controlled the first half but St Albans are a good team, well-organised, and overall a draw was probably a fair result.
"It’s another point but I never like to say a team are safe until it’s mathematical. It will be nice to make absolutely sure.
"We will keep going to the very end of the season and stick to our values, morals and methodology.”
Killpartrick said they were pleased to bring in Bridle from the Gills, although he picked up a shoulder injury against Albans that could keep him out.
City have also loaned full-back Zac Jeanes from Worthing, feeling they needed to add to their small squad as they get towards the end of what’s been a demanding season.
Next up, on Saturday, is a trip to 19th-placed Cray Valley PM, who Killpartrick knows will be scrapping for points they need to move clear of the relegation zone.
"They beat us at home, we know what they can do,” he said. “If we get into a physical battle with them we’ll struggle – we have to go there and play the way we like to play.”
Killpartrick praised the 465 fans who turned out last Saturday – with the club encouraged by numbers this season, their home average being 329.
A young group of ‘ultras’ have made a noise home and away and Killpartrick said: “The young lads are brilliant. We’re trying to build a community, not just a club, and they’re a big part of it.”