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The latest round of under-18 football matches brought a thrilling derby between Pagham and Chichester Colts and a handsome win for Midhurst & Easebourne.

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Pagham 3 Chichester City Colts 2

Colts had only 11 available players for this Sussex Youth Cup tie against Pagham’s full under-18 county squad.

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The Colts were 2-0 down after only five minutes because of horrendous errors in defence. Following a subtle change in central midfield, Colts steadied the ship and began to play the better passing football with only staunch Pagham defending keeping them at bay.

Against the run of play, Pagham snatched another goal to go in at half-time with a 3-0 lead.

A stirring team talk at half-time by Colts manager,Kev Fudge brought out the best in his players as they staged a comeback.

Jacob West got Colts’ first, latching on to Chaz Richardson’s defence-splitting through-ball to beat the oncoming keeper while holding off a Pagham defender.

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Colts upped the pace and a determined run and cross from the left wing, again by Richardson, was finished in style by Jack Gallop with a looping diving header over the Pagham keeper.

Colts tried to find the equaliser in the final minutes but Pagham shut up shop to secure a 3-2 victory.

At the final whistle, the Colts knew they had done so well against their higher-level counterparts.

COLTS: Dodsworth, W Richardson, Dennis, Dodd, Fudge, C Richardson, Cane, Porter, McLaughlin, Gallop, West.

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Midhurst & Easebourne under 18s enjoyed a fine 10-1 win at home to Worthing Minors Youth.

There was a first-half hat-trick for Matt Dean, two for Ollie Denis, two for Sam Beesley and single strikes from Jay Garfield, George Burnett and Zac Chiverton.

Although the score line indicates a one-sided game, it wasn’t. Midhurst defence was very strong, led by captain Mike McPhilemy, with Midhurst keeper Patrick Cowell having to work hard to the end as Worthing never gave up.

M&E: Cowell, Thompson, Largan, McPhilemy, Chiverton, Beesley, Roberts, Harris, Dowdell, Chenery, Denis, Garfield, Burnett, Dean.

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