VASSALLO'S THIRD HAT-TRICK OF SEASON SECURES VASE VICTORY

A HAT-TRICK from Ben Vassallo sent Chichester on their way to an easy victory over South London opponents Colliers Wood United in the opening round of this season’s FA Vase.

Throughout the contest their was never any question that City were superior, although had two key refereeing decisions gone the opposite way then the margin of victory would have been just a single goal.

Chichester welcomed back Darren Hickman and Aiden Bryan from injury, although forward James Temple was still missing.   Colliers Wood, yet to record a league victory this term, could only a field a scratch side including only two substitutes.

Right from the start, the home side were applying all the pressure and when a high ball was pumped into the penalty area on 22 minutes, Vassallo was there waiting to cleverly flick it past the keeper and make it 1-0.

Eight minutes later, the sparse gathering of spectators were treated to a superb solo goal, with Vassallo cutting in from the left and dribbling the ball past two helpless defenders before launching it into the far corner of the net.

Lee Mullen had a goal disallowed for offside moments before the interval, but two minutes into the second period Drew Moore surged down the wing and crossed perfectly for Vassallo to ram in his third.

After this, City were guilty of relaxing far too much, and on 58 minutes the unmarked Adam Fisk pulled one back with a short-range effort.

Then came the turning point of the game.  With all the Colliers players standing around expecting the linesman to flag for offside, Chichester substitute Michael Long punted the ball into the net to extend the lead to 4-1.

Then shortly afterwards at the other end, a breakaway goal by Danny Elgar appeared to have reduced the deficit, but following a lengthy discussion between the officials they hesitantly disallowed it.

Chichester have been drawn at home to South Park in the next round on 19^th September.

Report written by Chester Browton