CHICHESTER LOSE OPENING GAME OF SEASON

Chichester City United made a poor start to the new Sussex County League season with a 0-2 home defeat against St Francis Rangers on a wet and windy August afternoon.

Back at Oaklands Park after an eight year absence and with a new look side, City conceded early goals and only occasionally threatened their visitors’ defence. Five players were making their City debut with Jack Stanbridge in goal, Lee Bedden and James Hider in midfield and Billy Huntley and Ben Vassallo up front. But it was one of last seasons’ regulars, James Ford that had their best chance early on bringing a good save from Simon Lehkyj in the St Francis goal with a header from Bedden’s cross.

That early promise soon evaporated when former Brighton player, Geoff Pitcher muscled Hider off the ball and released Sam Jeremiah to angle a shot past Stanbridge on 17 minutes to put St Francis ahead. A sloppy throw out by Stanbridge soon afterwards gifted the ball to Pitcher again and the midfielder thumped it straight back into the net to make it 0-2.

Stanbridge went off shortly afterwards with a leg injury and outfielder, Adrian Brockway took over in goal as the odds stacked up against City.

But with St Francis seemingly content with a 2-0 cushion the second half was a nondescript affair although a Vassello effort was deflected wide and Huntley, Brad Johnson and Tom Foster all went close while Brockway made a decent save from another Pitcher long range shot.

Former player, Kevin Hotston, whose son George was among the City substitutes, summed it up ‘City are a very young side and were a bit naïve at times, they allowed the ex-Brighton lad (Pitcher) too much space and suffered lapses of concentration but there is a long way to go yet. There is talent in the side and they will improve.’

Report written by Trevor Wallis

Chichester Team: Stanbridge, Miah, Ford, Hickman, Foster, Johnson, Bedden, Hider, Huntley, Vassello, Brockway.
Subs: Matthew Cooper & Hotson (both used)
Scorers: -

Attendance: 46