Followers of Chichester City United were finally given reason to celebrate when Adie Girdler’s side lifted the Brighton Charity Cup on Tuesday night with a penalty shoot-out victory over Horsham.

It has been a frustrating campaign for the defending County League champions, who were beaten by Ringmer in the Sussex RUR Cup Final last month and have since been flirting dangerously close to the Division One relegation zone.

But victory in this invitation competition – that has been running for 109 years – ensured that the Church Road club have something to remember the season by.

In an entertaining contest, hosts Horsham came closest to scoring during a goalless first-half. A 27th minute lightning strike by James Taylor was marginally wide after a defensive error had provided him with a great opening.

Confidence increased amongst the Chichester ranks at the start of the second-half, and Hornets’ goalkeeper Luke Burton was forced to make a daring save at the feet of Lewis Fennemore early on.

But then, with 65 minutes gone, Chichester were let off the hook as Taylor failed to convert a simple tap-in following a precision cross from Gary Charman. Chichester were now undergoing a period of sustained pressure, and four minutes later substitute Florian Mateos skilfully turned with the ball just inside the penalty box before blasting Horsham into the lead.

However, the County Leaguers showed great character and were on level terms with 74 minutes played. The ball was pushed forward to Scott Tipper, who caught the keeper off his line and gently lobbed in his 29th goal of the season.

With time running out, both sides created further chances. Tipper had an effort ruled out for offside on 82 minutes, and immediately afterwards at the other end Ben Hitchman denied Lee Carney at the expense of a corner when a goal seemed certain.

With the match entering extra time, Horsham continued to produce some determined efforts, although many of their team were undoubtedly preoccupied with the Ryman League play-offs that begin this week.

John Westcott missed the target after escaping down the wing and getting a clear sight of goal, and then right at the death Mateos was clean though but yet again Horsham squandered the opportunity.

The destiny of the cup was determined by penalty-kicks, and the visitors held the advantage throughout with six consecutive successful conversions. Triumph eventually came Chichester’s way when Joe Clark stepped forward for Horsham, and with a suicidal short run-up struck the ball straight down the middle into the path of Lee Preston.

Report written by Chester Browton

Chichester Team: Preston, Osborne, Jackson, Wright, Price, Hitchman, Ward, Thomas, Tipper, Moore, Fennemore
Subs: S Murfin, Wozniak, Robertson (all used)
Chichester Scorers: Tipper
Chichester Penalty Scorers: Tipper, Fennemore, Price, Ward, Wright, Wozniak

Horsham Team: , Hardy, Payne, French, Graves, Hawthorne, Carney, Westcott, Taylor, Rummery, Charman
Subs: Mateos, Clark, Castrechino (all used)
Horsham Scorers: Mateos
Horsham Penalty Scorers: Carney, Graves, Hawthorne, Taylor, Wescott (missed), Clark

Attendance: 179