CHICHESTER COMPLETE LEAGUE DOUBLE OVER SHOREHAM

A battling performance from Shoreham ended with them going down 3-1 to Chichester, who are determined to challenge big spending Whitehawk in the race for the league title.

Shoreham started with a 5-4-1 formation, the plan being to defend well and try to score on the counter-attack.

Simon Lockwood, lately of Horsham YMCA deputised in goal for Michael Hunter and was solid throughout. In a makeshift defence, joint-manager, Mark Burt started for the first time and rolled away the years with an outstanding performance before coming off in the second half.

Shoreham started with a high tempo and closed Chichester down well, denying them any space and breaking well when the opportunity was there. Chichester’s first real chance came in the 16th minute when Owen Callaghan headed off the line. The same player repeated the feat 10 minutes later when another corner was cleared.

Shoreham’s first big chance came in the 31st minute when Ryan Bradley was put through after good work by Rob Boddy, but the normally lethal striker put the chance wide. Lockwood was called on several occasions to save or come out for crosses and the big stopper dealt with everything comfortably.

As the end of the half arrived, Bradley twisted and turned in the penalty area but was shut out and when the ball fell to Boddy, good defending by Chichester denied Shoreham a real goal scoring chance.

The second half began with Lockwood making a great finger tipped save to deny Chichester an early lead. Chichester then made the all important breakthrough when a high ball into the box was not cleared and James Temple was at hand to prod the ball past Lockwood.

Shoreham showed their resilience by coming back and putting the home defence under a lot of pressure. They got their just reward when Bradley was fouled in the box and the prolific striker duly converted the penalty in the 56th minute. Mussels continued on the offensive and Lee Eastman had a shot cleared of the line.

The next goal was always going to be crucial with both teams probing each other and the respective keepers having to be alert. It was Chichester who got the all important second goal when Tom Broadbent was not closed down and he unleashed a 30 yard shot which took Lockwood completely by surprise. Ryan Bradley had a half chance to equalise but it was Chichester who put the result beyond doubt with a goal from Joe Briggs to make it 3-1.

To make matters worse for the Mussels, Boddy was sent off for a second bookable offence.

All in all Shoreham should not be too disappointed as they matched Chichester for long periods and our makeshift defence on the day played really well to control a team who were good going forward.

Report written by Pat Callaghan (Shoreham FC)

Chichester Team: Hitchman, Minton, Bryan, Broadbent, Ford, Archer, Briggs, Cutler, Temple, Vassallo & Brockway.
Subs Used: Maddison, Long & James
Not Used: -
Scorers: Briggs, Temple, Broadbent

Booked: Bryan, Archer, Briggs, Cutler, Brockway
Sent Off: -
Man of Match: Broadbent
Attendance: 50