Hockey: Sevenoaks, eight goals - but Chichester have mixed feelings

Chichester 4 Sevenoaks 4

South open premier division one

Chichester began in control, passing the ball around and striking the bar within the first few minutes.

The breakthrough came moments later when a smart one-two between Matt Cox and Martin Gough resulted in a diving deflection from Cox beating the Sevenoaks keeper. Unfortunately, Cox smashed into the goalpost leaving him injured.

A well-constructed attack resulted in a penalty corner. Gerald Cox powerfully slotted the ball in the bottom corner.

A questionable decision by the umpire resulted in a free hit for Sevenoaks just outside the 25 which was powered into the D and a spectacular deflection from a Sevenoaks forward left Godsmark helpless.

After the restart Sevenoaks were fired up and equalised. Sloppy defending from Chichester led to another goal that put Sevenoaks 3-2 up.

Chichester got their act together and levelled through Gough after clever interplay between the forwards in the D.

The next goal came from Sevenoaks thanks to a good counter attack that followed promising Chichester play.

However, Chichester were determined not to lose and they constructed countless attacks.

A good run down the right by McLaughlin led to a pass to Baxter, who fired the ball across the face of goal to Gough, who deftly placed the ball into the goal.

Chichester were disappointed not to have won and will look to put that right this week against Oxford University.

Horsham 5 Middleton & Bognor 0

Middleton & Bognor were unbeaten in four games and in high spirits before push-back. But smiles became grimaces as the finely-tuned Horsham showed the relegation battlers what league-winning hockey is about.

The home side tore through the hapless defence time and time again.

Middleton lacked structure, chasing the ball without any luck. On the rare occasion they did enjoy possession it was lost through poor passing.

The only positives were suntans - and that Horsham didn’t score ten.

Old Kingstonians 0 Chichester II 7

Chichester II 3 Trojans 2

At Old Kingstonians, Chichester came away with a comfortable win. Goals from Sparshott, Strudwick, Pendle and a hat-trick for Lunn secured the points.

The next day Chichester entertained a Trojans side unbeaten since Christmas.

Trojans started strongly but never really threatened. Chichester got into the game and a strong run from McLaughlin forced a Trojans defender to turn the ball into his own net.

Gough had a goal disallowed but soon beat the keeper at his near post to secure a 2-0 advantage.

In the second half a strong run and reverse-stick finish from Alex Baxter made it 3-0 before two quick goals from Trojans made for a nervy finish.

Chichester saw the game out for a vital three points.

Chichester Chipmunks 3 Brighton V 3

Against the runaway league leaders sloppy Chichester defending saw Brighton take the lead after only 90 seconds, which was followed by a second 15 minutes later.

But Hindmarch, Gleeson and Sowden combined well down the right and Lowther looked lively in attack.

Gibbons was sent to the sin-bin for a stick tackle in the D. Chichester held firm down to ten men go.

Neame and Sturdy scored to make it 2-2. Brighton regained the lead with minutes to go but Kathegesu wove through a sea of players to the top of the D and smashed the ball past a static Brighton keeper to ensure Chichester enjoyed a share in the points.

CHICHESTER: Donaldson, Gibbons , Brixey, Gleeson J, Neame, Kathegesu, Gleeson T, Hindmarch C, Lowther, Creswick, Sowden, Sturdy, Gibbons C, Hindmarch T.

Chichester’s under-ten squad enjoyed the sun at the Petersfield tournament.

They started strongly with Callum Peyman and Jessica Gleeson pushing forward to press City of Portsmouth’s defence. They were unlucky not to score despite creating chances, with Portsmouth scoring against the run of play. In their second game they faced Havant and again put in a great effort, running out 1-0 winners.

Against Winchester II they were 3-0 winners with Peyman, Christopher Clarke and Felix Talbot all showing strength on the ball, building on the foundation created by Charlie Gyles and Cameron Flowers.

They followed this with a comfortable win over hosts Petersfield with Georgina Wain growing in confidence in midfield.

Tiring a little in their final game, they lost to Winchester.