CHICHESTER SUFFER THIRD DEFEAT IN FOUR GAMES

CHICHESTER crashed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Eastbourne United on Saturday, their third defeat in four games.

On a very bumpy pitch, United made the better start and forced early territorial advantage without creating any clear-cut opportunities.  Fortunately for City, whenever the visitors did have an opening, the final pass was either cut out or went stray.

Despite both sides trying to play good football, the flow of the game continually broke down due to the state of the ground.   Chichester were the more direct, looking to feed off James Temple who was having a running battle against his marker Lee Jules.

Both defences were on top, although a City breakaway did stretch Eastbourne once during the first-half , the ball being pulled back to the edge of the box for James Ford, although much to his frustration he fired wide.

City’s main offensives came from set pieces, and they did manage to get the ball into the net from a corner but it was ruled out with the keeper being bundled into the net with ball in his hands.

With twenty minutes remaining, Eastbourne broke the deadlock when a Brad Manton through-ball allowed Steve Dallaway to slip the offside trap, go clean through and slot the ball past the advancing keeper.

Chichester went in search of the equaliser, piling on the pressure in the form of a succession of free-kicks.  With both City centre-backs coming up to join the attack, the United back-line were given an uncomfortable time.

A penalty appeal for Chichester was turned down when Shawn Benjamin protested that he was pushed to the ground following yet another needlessly conceded free-kick.

Then, right at the end, Eastbourne sealed victory with another goal.  A great 35-yard cross-field pass from the full-back found Ben Billings on the left who, despite having plenty of space, decided to hit a first-time shot that ended up near the penalty spot.  The unmarked Dallaway was perfectly positioned to claim his second, and dash City’s chances of any points.

Chichester entertain Peacehaven on Saturday in a match that is effectively a play-off for second and third places behind champions-elect Whitehawk

Report written by Chester Browton and Reece Head (Eastbourne United)

Chichester Team: Boyle, Broadbent, Benjamin, Bryan, Mullen, Ford, Briggs, Temple, Cutler, Vassallo, Brockway.
Subs Used: ?
Not Used: ?
Scorers: -

Booked: -
Sent Off: -
Man of Match: -
Attendance: 55