HAWKS WIN ACTION-PACKED TITLE CLASH AT OAKLANDS

                                   Adrian Brockway pulls Chichester level from the penalty spot

A HAT-TRICK from Sam Crabb on Tuesday night sent Whitehawk on their way to an action-packed 3-2 victory over Chichester.

The two teams - who have both applied for promotion to the Ryman League - started the match level on points at the top of Sussex County Division One, but with the Hawks having three games in hand and securing this vital win at Oaklands Park it seems Chichester now face an uphill task if they are to overtake their rivals.

In a dramatic start to the contest, Hawks took the lead with a spectacular fifth minute goal when Wes Tate escaped down the right and clipped the ball into the six-yard box for Crabb to volley home.

But seven minutes later, City were level when Adrian Brockway converted a penalty after Ben Vassallo had been fouled by keeper Lloyd Anderson some distance out.  The referee’s ruling sparked screams of amazement from the sizeable contingent of Whitehawk supporters, and even at the interval Anderson was still arguing about it.

The Hawks were the more dangerous team, and on 18 minutes Jay Lovett had the goal at his mercy from short range but somehow the ball ended up in the tennis club next door.

Seven minutes before half-time Lovett’s cross-shot drew a fingertip save from City keeper Anthony Ender, and more panic followed when the ball was scooped out of the goalmouth following a corner just before the whistle sounded.

The second period started in a tense atmosphere, but with 68 minutes played Whitehawk regained the lead with a well-placed curler from Crabb after good combination from Tate and Lovett had tied the City defence in knots.

With nine minutes remaining, the game reached its turning point when a Chichester corner culminated with the ball hitting the inside post and Anderson preventing a certain goal with his lightning reflex.  With the City players still getting their breath back, a split-second counter-attack to other end led to Crabb striking again to make it 3-1.

In a gripping finale, City went for broke, throwing everybody forward and it nearly paid off.  Brockway blasted the ball home in the 89^th minute to reduce the deficit, and then in virtually the last kick Vassallo’s trickling shot ricocheted off the post and could have ended up anywhere.

Report written by Chester Browton

Chichester Team: Ender, Bryan, Ford, Broadbent, Benjamin, Mullen, Briggs, Cutler, Temple, Vassallo, Brockway. Sub: Archer.
Subs Used: Archer
Not Used: -
Scorers: Brockway (2)

Booked: Briggs, Brockway
Sent Off: -
Man of Match: Benjamin
Attendance: 117