CHI LOSE UNBEATEN LEAGUE RECORD TO MUSSELMEN

CHICHESTER lost their unbeaten league record at Shoreham on Tuesday night.

The Musselmen had several players missing and for the second game they played with a makeshift defence. To their credit they were magnificent throughout and offered great protection to Michael Hunter in the Shoreham goal. Chichester came with a reputation as one of the more fancied sides in the league but Shoreham matched them all the way to eventually take all three points.

In a high tempo game it was Shoreham who created the first chance when a cross was headed over the bar by Ryan Bradley. Minutes later City striker Ben Vassallo was put through but his firmly struck shot was well saved by Hunter.

Shoreham suffered a setback when Richard Hudson had to go off after a reoccurrence of an old injury. Both sets of defences were generally on top as the forwards struggled to find any real space. The game was confined to the midfield area for the most part and at times the sheer pace of the game threatened to spill over as there was a few spicy tackles.

Chichester continued to threaten occasionally and on 40 minutes Joe Briggs cut inside but his shot flew over the bar. Two minutes later winger Adrian Brockway delivered invitingly across goal but there was no one to apply the finishing touch. With half time approaching Chichester were very lucky not to concede a goal when Tom Broadbent cleared his lines after good work by Bradley.

Shoreham started the second half by conceding possession too often which led to them being placed under unnecessary pressure. Gradually they settled into their rhythm and, with Kevin Keehan pulling the strings in midfield, they turned the game around and most of the play was happening in the Chichester half.

Both teams created chances but with the game seemingly heading for a scoreless draw great play by Bradley in winning the ball back saw him pass to Lee Eastman and his low cross was forced into the net by Owen Callaghan’s perfectly timed run into the area. With six minutes remaining Chichester showed their quality and pushed forward moving the ball quickly and creating a lot of danger from wide positions.

For the second game running Shoreham scored in the 92nd minute when a sizzling shot from Bradley was blocked by the outstanding Matt Short and then Mussels’ substitute Josh Clayman followed up to score and secure the victory.

A minute later James Temple tapped home a consolation goal for Chichester City after a rare misunderstanding in the Shoreham defence.

Report written by Pat Callaghan (Shoreham FC)