Ladies’ football: Chichester’s flying start checked by Southampton and Swindon

CHICHESTER City Ladies’ 100 per cent start to the season came to an end when they lost 1-0 away to Southampton.
Chichester City's under-11 girls are celebrating their first winChichester City's under-11 girls are celebrating their first win
Chichester City's under-11 girls are celebrating their first win

They improved on that on Sunday with a 1-1 at home with top-of-the-league Swindon Town – ending their perfect record in the process.

The goal was scored by Amy Found.

Chichester started well, keeping possession, and began to make real inroads.

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Swindon had their best moments on the counter-attack and it was against the run of play during one of these attacks that Swindon took the lead. Swindon’s centre-forward found their right-sided midfielder in space just inside the 18-yard box and she finished past Sally-Anne Thompson.

In response a one-two between Jade Widdows and Kally Ambler put Widdows in on goal but her fierce drive was saved by the legs of the goalkeeper.

Widdows won a free-kick that was delivered into the box and after a scramble, Chichester got in two strikes at goal, both of which were blocked.

Chichester were now in the ascendancy and winning a string of free kicks most of which were being blocked at the second attempt by Swindon.

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A Swindon break ended when Lucie Challen put in a superbly-timed tackle.

Chichester knew they would have to be more clinical in the second half.

They started it at a tremendous pace. The equaliser soon came as the referee gave a penalty for handball after good work down the left. Amy Found stepped up and blasted the ball past the keeper to level the scores.

An innovative effort from Tammy Waine, on the volley from 30 yards, nearly caught out the Swindon keeper.

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Lauren Cheshire almost put City ahead after great work from Widdows and Ambler then Jenna Fowlie almost got on the end of a cross from the right.

Waine and Ambler combined well to find Cheshire in space and her low drive saw the keeper save at full stretch.

Waine had two late chances, bringing out the best in the goalkeeper on both occasions.

Swindon exerted late pressure on the Chichester defence, forcing several corners – but the home team’s back line stood firm.

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After two lengthy stoppages for injuries, to Ambler and then to a Swindon player, it ended all-square.

Chichester Res 2 Brighton 5

Premier League Reserve Cup

City’s development squad lost 5-2 at home to Brighton in the League Cup. Their goals came from twins Jodie and Brooke Pallant.

It was a glorious day for football at Clymping as Brighton started brightly.

Bobby Lynch was a strong addition for City, while Steph Mills and Emily Symonds were a big presence down the right.

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Hopeful balls over the top from Hannah Chalk and Ella Potter eventually gave Jodie Pallant a chance to shoot it was dragged slightly wide.

Brighton brought Louise Galway into the action and as half-time approached Brighton broke through, but it was flagged offside.

After half-time, Brighton continued to maintain possession well and eventually got the breakthrough as their left winger scored a good goal. Soon after, Brighton struck a second.

Jodie Pallant had been very patient and when a defender played the ball back to the Brighton goalie, she wanted one too many touches and Jodie Pallant tackled her, nutmegged her and slotted the ball into an open net.

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Lynch fired a ball into the box for Amber Beaven to volley goalwards but the Brighton keeper made a good save. Brighton hit back with some good build-up play and a shot from long range made it 3-1.

Gemma Halford and Brooke Pallant came on and Pallant reduced the deficit with a tremendous shot from 35 yards out. But once again Brighton responded and restored the two-goal lead.

In the dying minutes Brighton got one more as a shot from the edge of the box was placed into the far right corner.

City’s development squad visit Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

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Meanwhile, City’s under-11 girls played their first league game and won 3-0 at Shoreham and Adur. All three goals were scored by Charlie Dave.

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