Chichester City bounced back from their home defeat by Three Bridges a week earlier to thump visiting Sidley United 4-0 at a soggy Church Road on Saturday.

Alex Ward and Michael Vongas returned to the midfield and there was a new defensive pairing of Matt Smith and Jamie Angell as manager, Adie Girdler reshuffled his troops.

The new line up proved effective although Sidley were a poor side and gifted their hosts an 5th minute lead as goalkeeper Rob Wiley dropped a cross from Angell and Adrian Brockway set up Scott Tipper for his 13th goal of the season - a simple tap in from a few inches.

But it wasn’t just the Sidley defence at fault as Graham Morris and his cousin Steve Morris both hit decent chances over the top at the other end before City extended their lead on 38 minutes.

Once again it was Tipper that found the target but this time it was a full length dive to head a Scott Murfin cross into the bottom corner.

Wiley nearly compounded his earlier error as he was deceived by a bouncing ball inside the goal area but this time team-mate Owen Ball came to the rescue with a goal line clearance while substitute Dave Carey missed an absolute sitter for the visitors just before the break.

Wiley did better to block out an effort by Neil Murfin immediately after the interval and then took on a one man mission to deny Tipper his hat-trick with a string of saves when the big striker seemed odds on to score.

Scott Murfin also tested the strength of the crossbar with a rising shot before a third goal in the 75th minute put the result beyond any doubt. This time it was Tony Stephens unmarked at the near post to glance a Brockway corner into the net that did the trick and City could relax as the rain swept across the ground to add to the already saturated conditions.

In the closing minutes substitute Roger Moore added to Sidley’s woes as he combined with Tipper down the right before delicately threading his way through the visitors defence to make it 4-0.

Wiley saved again from Tipper before the end and Sidley continued to squander the few chances they had allowing City goalkeeper Gary Smart one of his quietest afternoons of the season.

Report written by Trevor Wallis

Chichester Team: Smart, Miah, Brockway, Stephens, Smith M., Angell, Ward, Murfin N., Tipper, Murfin S., Vongas.
Subs: Smith J. and Moore (both used), Guarnaccio and Robinson (not used)
Scorers: Tipper (2), Stephens, Moore

Attendance: 65