CHICHESTER REACH BRIGHTON CUP SEMI-FINALS

CHICHESTER CITY reached the semi-finals of the Brighton Charity Cup after beating Isthmian League Premier division Horsham in a pulsating clash at Oaklands Park on Thursday night.

Chichester and Horsham have dominated the Brighton Cup over recent seasons with Chichester winning it twice since 2003 and Horsham on four occasions. The stranglehold was finally broken last season when East Preston were victorious - although of course Chi reached the final and were thrown out in controversial circumstances due to the "Cutler-gate" scandal.

Chi took the lead as early as the 5th minute when City captain James Archer converted a penalty after Briggs had been brought down in the box.

Vassallo had a chance to double the lead on 20 minutes when Cutler provided the perfect cross but the City forward somehow missed the target from close range.

Rob Kasanga drew Horsham level after 25 minutes when he expertly turned in the box and placed the ball past Tom Boyle in the City goal, the keeper making his debut appearance having recently signed from Moneyfields.

Horsham took the lead following a controversial penalty incident on the half hour mark when James Ford was penalised for handling the ball in the City box. The first penalty was saved by Boyle but the referee ordered the kick to be retaken due to the City keeper moving off his line too early and Ian Payne made no mistake with the second attempt.

Jack James put Chichester back on terms just before the break with a well taken effort, his first ever goal for the club since signing from Haying United at the start of the season.

The second half was very much a stalemate and Broadbent came closest to winning the match when his 35 yard effort rebounded off the ball, hit the Horsham keeper on the back and then went out for a corner.

Ben Vassallo won the tie for City two minutes into extra time with an opportunist goal and City held out to reach the semi-finals.

Report written by Martin Smith

Chichester Team: Boyle, Minton, Ford, Broadbent, Bryan, Mullen, Briggs, Cutler, Archer, Vassallo, James.
Subs Used: Cooper
Not Used: Maddison, Long, Grant
Scorers: -Archer, James, Vassallo

Booked: Mullen
Sent Off: -
Man of Match: Broadbent
Attendance: 50