CITY BACK ON TOP AFTER COMFORTABLE VICTORY OVER LINGFIELD

Chichester City moved back to the top of the Sussex County League with a comfortable 4-0 victory over visiting Lingfield on Saturday. City now have a three point advantage over closest rivals, Whitehawk. The Brighton side have five games in hand but they face a considerable fixture backlog and a two leg FA Vase semi-final in the last few weeks of the season that may yet influence the outcome of the Title race. Assistant manager, Dave Kelly commented “we’re back on top, now we just have to keep going and see what happens.”

To their credit the visitors made a lively start and there were several close squeaks for the City defence before the home side went ahead on 24 minutes. James Temple burst down the left leaving a stream of defenders in his wake before setting up Callum Cutler to drive the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Ben Hitchman in the City goal then made a point blank save at the other end to deny Pani Oritis an equaliser and preserve the City advantage to the half time interval.

Lingfield seemed suitably energised by their half time refreshments and pep talk and stretched the City defence before their challenge crumbled in a disasterous ten minute spell around the hour mark. Shawn Benjamin started City’s goal rush by stooping low to head home a Joe Briggs cross and then provided the through pass that enabled Ben Vassallo to set up the third for Cutler.

With Lingfield now in disarray Temple blasted in a fourth from close range and it was all over.

Cutler then saw a curling free kick beaten away by Adam Woodward in the Lingfield goal that would have completed his hat-trick and substitute Michael Long toe ended a decent chance just past the post.

Hitchman also frustrated any hope of a Lingfield consolation with a flying save to turn a dipping shot from Ansell around the post.

Report written by Trevor Wallis

Chichester Team: Hitchman, Minton, Ford, Bryan, Benjamin, Archer, Briggs, Cutler, Temple, Vassallo & Brockway.
Subs Used: Maddison, Long & James
Not Used: Searle
Scorers: Cutler (2), Benjamin, Temple

Booked: -
Sent Off: -
Man of Match: -
Attendance: 60