Selsey progressed into the quarter-finals of the John O’Hara League Cup with a come-from-behind triumph over Chichester at a rain-swept High Street Ground on Friday night.

The two sides entered the match in differing circumstances:  Selsey came into it on the back of their 9-0 demolition of Bexhill that had put them top of County League Division Two, whilst in contrast it had been a day of remembrance for the Chichester players – who had attended their late team-mate Steve Bernard’s funeral in Bournemouth a few hours before kick-off.

Scott Tipper opened the scoring for Chichester on 7 minutes after receiving the ball from Dan Gauntlett at short range. The move had started with a cross from Adrian Brockway, although it was difficult to tell if Gauntlett’s touch was a well calculated pass or a hopelessly mis-hit shot.

Within 4 minutes though, Selsey were level when a long ball was released over the top of the City defence and Clinton More caught the bounce perfectly to punt into the net.

A momentary delay occurred midway through the first-half when Selsey keeper Rob Hill’s bootlaces came undone, but fortunately referee Robinson was on hand to tie them up for him.

From the start of the second period, Selsey began to dominate and they went ahead on 49 minutes.  A blunder by City’s Anthony Evans saw the ball directed straight to opponent Andy Brown, who reacted quickly to lob over the stranded keeper and make it 2-1.

The result was made safe with 74 minutes played, when More got onto the end of another aerial pass, although this time Tom Ridley weighed in to apply the finish and bring his personal tally for the season to 10 goals.

Soon after, the home supporters erupted with anger when City’s Scott Murfin was shown a yellow card.  A vocal proportion of the 208-strong crowd felt the punishment should have been harsher, accusing Murfin of stamping on the Selsey keeper whilst he was on the floor.

“I was very pleased with our performance, especially when you consider we were missing Dave Graham who is getting married and Jon Price,” said winning manager Danny Hinshelwood (who guided Selsey to victory in this competition in 2002/03), “we looked particularly solid at the back - we went into the game with the right attitude and I think it showed.”

Selsey will be at home to either Whitehawk or the winners of the Oakwood-Sidley United tie in the next round.

Report written by Chester Browton

Selsey Team: Hill, S Hinshelwood, A Brown, Rob Brown, M Lee, S Morey, Wright, A Morey, More, Ridley, Davis.
Subs: None used
Scorers: More, Brown A., Ridley

Chichester Team: Evans, N Murfin, Adrian Brockway, J Smith, Guarnaccio, Miah, Ward, Vongas, Tipper, S Murfin, Gauntlett.
Subs: Alex Brockway, Osborne, Sutton (all used)
Scorers: Tipper

Attendance: 203