Hockey: Palmer pounces but it’s not enough for Chichester

There were losses for a number of Chichester’s teams this week – but their performances were not without their positives.
Chichester's Sam Broadhurst / Picture by Kate ShemiltChichester's Sam Broadhurst / Picture by Kate Shemilt
Chichester's Sam Broadhurst / Picture by Kate Shemilt

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Indian Gymkhana 3 Chichester 2

National League Conference West

Chichester started strongly but a simple lapse in concentration led to the opposition taking the lead six minutes in.

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Despite the scoreline, it was clear Chichester were in control, with the defence of Brook, Sewell, Alex Thakore and Ben Palmer providing a solid base with which to supply the explosive midfield of Blakesley, Cox, Lerwill and Emmett, creating chances for the threatening forward line of Sparshott, Gough, Broadhurst, Baxter and Gibbons.

It was only a matter of time before Chichester won a penalty corner, expertly converted by Palmer. Eight minutes later, Palmer found himself at the end of a well-worked route to convert again making it 100 per cent shot/goal record against former GB goalkeeper Simon Mason.

Chichester had the majority of possession but were unable to capitalise on their chances, and lapses of concentration led to some good counter-attacking play by Indian Gymkhana allowing them to score two more goals, one fairly scrappy but the other expertly deflected in from a long ball.

This led to Chichester chasing the game with ten minutes left. Chichester gave everything, seeing four chances missed in the last two minutes, with some good defending from Indian Gymkhana and some missed opportunies keeping the scoreline at 3-2.

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Chichester’s performance was very positive and with a few improvements between now and the next time the two teams meet, the outcome could be a very different story.

This Sunday, Chichester welcome top side Cardiff & Met to Kingsham at 1.30pm. Cardiff have had a very strong start to the season and are yet to drop a point. Be sure to turn up and show your support for the home team.

CHICHESTER: Pacanowskiego (GK), Brook, Thakore (C), Palmer, Sewell, Lerwill, Cox, Blakesley, Emmett, Sparshott, Broadhurst, Gough, Baxter, Gibbons.

Chichester PP Ladies 1 Worthing 4

Chichester faced third-placed Worthing and with a full team, they started confidently.

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Their positive play created plenty of opportunities but Worthing defended well. A quick break from Worthing resulted in a goal.

Chichester came back fighting, with more consistent passing. Greenless, Hyla and Holleyoak worked hard to create opportunities at the frontline but they couldn’t find a breakthrough.

Chichester began the second half with a near miss within the first minute. After multiple short corners and penetrations into the Worthing D, Chichester’s Nikki Kuntze scored. But Worthing fought back with resilience, gaining two more goals.

Performance levels were very high from both teams, providing Chichester with the confidence and drive to keep improving.

This Saturday Chichester travel to face Burgess Hill.

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CHICHESTER: A Cowley, E Lerwill, S Bradley, N Halliday, L Knight, V Sambel, M Goring, R Mealyer, N Kuntze, L Greenless, E Nixon, A Giles, F Hollyoak, P Hyla.

Worthing 2nds 3 Chichester Ladies PP 2nds 1

A COUPLE of minutes in, Worthing had an attack and scored. This put Chi on the back foot.

Chichester fought well for the whole first half, but needed to be more consistent with their passing.

In the second half after a good team talk by Amy Chaplin, Chi pressed higher up the pitch and put Worthing under pressure.

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But the home side were still dangerous and scored from a penalty corner.

Chi grew in confidence but once again the home side caught Chi on the back foot and scored a third.

Then Chi pushed forward and were rewarded with a goal through Lindsay Hauxwell.

CHI: Claire Young, Tracy Austin, Georgia Welch, Rachael Trent, Demelza Peake, Julianne Doherty, Lindsay Hauxwell, Jenna Greenaway, Amy Chaplin, Jenny Horton, Merryn Young, Sarah Jessop, Holly Gyles.

Centurions 1 Middleton ladies 6

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From the off, good Middleton teamwork enabled a co-ordinated attack to penetrate Centurions’ defence and a quick early goal was scored by Jasmine Hine. Several more goals - all finished by Hine, from careful construction by the midfield and forwards - followed to make the score at 5-0 at the break. Centurions came back strongly in the second half to score a well-worked goal. But Hine slotted in a sixth goal with ten minutes to go to earn a double hat-trick.

Solid defence from goalie Alison Etherington, newly-returned to the club, helped thwart Centurions’ attack and the well-deserved 6-1 win put them in the top half of the table after three games.

Chichester PP Ladies 4ths 0 South Downs 2

Chichester started positively but were put under pressure by fast attacking play from South Downs.

Towards the end of the first half, Chichester conceded an own goal after a good run from South Downs.

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The second half started with Chichester playing with more positive passing. South Downs were relentless with their attacking, resulting in a second goal.

Player of the match was Woods.

CHI: Kane, Austin, Whittington, Ashton, Smith, Soden-Bridger, Willway, Lillywhite, Dunster, Burley, Cleghorn, Woods.

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