A goal in each half from Lewis Fennemore moved Chichester City three points closer to the Sussex County League championship title at Sidley United on Saturday.

City were without their captain Paul Thomas, Russ Hardwell, Roger Moore and Matt Osborne but reshuffled successfully with Leigh Cole returning in midfield and the new pairing of Fennemore and Scott Tipper up front with Neil Murfin and Mark Jackson in the wing back roles.

Both City's main rivals also won but four points from their last two games will still seal their first championship success since 1980 although Rye's 6-0 win over Southwick has closed the advantage that City had on goal difference.

The combination of the sloping ground, a dry pitch and a swirling cross wind ensured that this was never going to be a match for the connoisseur but City dug deep and found all the qualities that have carried them through a long season. Cole, Tony Stephens and Matt Smith never stopped running and until very late in the game Sidley hardly put a credible move together.

City's first goal on 12 minutes showed all their best qualities in an otherwise fairly nondescript first period. Murfin chased the ball down the right to dispossess the full back then switched it across field via Cole to Jackson and Fennemore was waiting in the centre to nudge in the cross with the Sidley defence out of position.

A similar move in the 12th minute of the second half produced City's second goal but this time it was Stephens that made space on the left to set up Fennemore to score from three or four yards out.

News of Rye's big lead encouraged City to seek to extend their advantage and Tipper, Murfin, Smith and Stephens all saw their shots go either just wide or saved by Rob Wiley in the home goal. Tipper, who needs a change of luck, must also have wondered why Wiley wasn't penalised for a heavy challenge as the City striker raced clear of the defence.

At the other end Lee Preston was a spectator for most of the game but needed to be sharp to turn one effort round the post as Sidley produced a lively spell late in the game. Kevin Rose was well off target with an open goal to aim at as City came under pressure for the first time in the match.

Now it was a case of trying to catch Sidley on the counter attack and Wiley produced a good reflex save to deny Smith, Scott Murfin fired a shot over the crossbar and in the closing moments a shot from Fennemore was cleared off the line.

City visit bottom club, Shoreham on Saturday knowing that the strugglers had their best result of the season by beating Whitehawk in their previous game. City then finish the season with the return fixture against Sidley on 1 May.

The destiny of the Championship is in City's own hands but with Rye and East Preston waiting for a slip up.

Report written by Trevor Wallis for the Chichester Observer

Chichester Team: Preston, Murfin N., Jackson, Hitchman, Jones, Leigh, Stephens, Cole, Fennemore, Tipper (Murfin S.), Smith
Subs: Murfin S. (used) Miah and Hickman (not used)

Chichester Scorers: Fennemore (2)

Attendance: 118