CHICHESTER'S POOR FORM CONTINUES AT CRAWLEY DOWN

Chichester City’s recent dip in form continued with their third consecutive away defeat, this time on a waterlogged and barely playable pitch at Crawley Down.

City failed to take advantage of the wind and slope in their favour in the first half and a narrow one goal interval lead neither reflected their possession or the cushion they would need in the second period.

Jason Minton eventually put City in front after more than 40 minutes of pressure on the home goal with a well struck left foot drive after James Ford’s cross wasn’t properly cleared. But as the players traipsed off at half time Crawley Down probably felt they were still well in contention with conditions in their favour after the break.

Adrian Brockway might have extended the City lead immediately after the resumption but the balance of play had shifted and on 56 minutes City made a mess of a corner on the right and Sam Cane headed in the equaliser.

Ten more minutes and Crawley Down were ahead as Tom Boyle in the City goal made one sharp stop to save a Tony Reid header only to be beaten by another header from the same player moments later.

With over 20 minutes to save the game City hardly mustered a decent shot on goal with a deflected shot by substitute Tim Harruna being the sum of their efforts.

City remain second in the table but the pack is closing in and they face three further away games before returning to Oaklands Park.

Report written by Trevor Wallis

Chichester Team: Boyle, Minton, Broadbent, Benjamin, Bryan, Mullen, James, Cutler, Temple, Ford, Brockway.
Subs Used: Briggs, Harruna, Jeffrey
Not Used: -
Scorers: Minton

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