Chichester completed their season with an impressive victory under the lights at Oaklands over a very skillful Portsmouth side in a friendly arranged to provide a tough work out for Pompey ahead of a cup final.

The home side didn't disappoint as they rose to the challenge and took the game to their opponents from the kick off. Chichester's approach play was sensational in a first half which only brought one goal although many opportunities were created. Abbie Crook, relishing a more advanced role was instrumental in all of the home sides attacks and set up strike partner Abbey Shrubb for the all important goal on fifteen minutes. Crook and Shrubb both had opportunities to increase the lead as Chichester continued to dominate.

Seven changes at the interval by United obviously disrupted the team's fluency, but further illustrated the squad's strength in depth as Chichester continued to be more than a match for the Pompey girls. The Maher twins, Amber and Rosie were on top form at the back for Chichester as Pompey pressed unsuccesfully for an equaliser towards the end

TEAM: Wiseman, Maher (A), Whitfield, Maher (R), Bugden, White, Madden, Sherwood, Horne, Crook, Shrubb.
SUBS: Acott, Chamberlain, Kay, Matthews, Hubert, Dyer.
SCORERS: Shrubb
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

United, making several changes due to injury and unavailability started the game at a high tempo and exposed hesitancy in the Brighton defence and could easily have taken the lead when Abbey Shrubb rounded the keeper but her goalbound shot was cleared off the line.  Brighton came back into the game and took the lead from close range but instead of proceeding to dominate, Brighton found the ferocious tackling of the Chichester midfield difficult to contend with. In fact Chichester were playing good football when in possession themselves and found strikers Shrubb and Abbie Crook surprisingly easily

Brighton showed their class at the start of the second half and were able to go up a gear to increase the lead. However, Chichester continued to create chances and Imogen Horne played in Shrubb for a deserved goal and then Shrubb scored again to set up an exciting finale where Chichester put the Brighton defence under an unusual and surprising amount of pressure. This was an outstanding all round team performance from the Chichester girls

TEAM: Wiseman, Maher (A), Whitfield, Maher (R), Matthews, Spicer, Madden, Sherwood, Horne, Crook, Shrubb.
SUBS: Chamberlain
SCORERS: Shrubb (2)
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

United made league leaders Adur work hard for this victory without ever really threatening the visitors goal.

Adur, one of several tall aggressive sides in the division were on top from the kick off, but struggled to create chances until they took the lead ten minutes before the interval with a shot from distance. Several changes at the break failed to stimulate.

Chichester's attack and the game followed a similar pattern in the second period. United's defence, in which Sian Spicer and Kara Bugden were again outstanding can take great credit from limiting Adur to so few scoring opportunities in a game the visitors dominated.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Whitfield, Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Hubert, Chamberlain, McGovren.
SCORERS: -
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

For the second time in a month, the two sides were involved in a really tough game, but a series of missed opportunities during a dominant first half condemned a battling Chichester side to defeat.

The visitors with the strong wind at their backs took the lead after ten minutes when Laura Sherwood volleyed home an Abbie Crook corner. The right hand side of the Chichester team, Sam Wiseman, Crook and Nicole White created several chances to increase the lead. White and Abbey Shrubb twice shot over and Shrubb and Imogen Horne were denied by the keeper.

Eastbourne equalised just before half time from a corner after a rare break and then proceeded to dominate the second period. Sian Spicer needed to be at her best to organise an inexperienced Chichester defence in which Sam Wiseman was also outstanding. Unfortunately, two goals in the middle of the half and an injury to Shrubb gave Chichester a mountain to climb but a superb Steph Madden volley brought United back into the game before eventually conceding a fourth near the end.

TEAM: Acott, Wiseman, Whitfield, Spicer, Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Shrubb, Horne, White.
SUBS: Dyer.
SCORERS: Sherwood, Madden
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

An unfamiliar Chichester line up took on another of the divisions strong sides in a bizarre game on a very small pitch. The visitors welcomed back Nicole White for her first game for four months following a knee injury.

There was no sign of the goal avalanche in the early stages. Chichester started the brighter and the home keeper made two good stops before Abbey Shrubb put United in front with the first of four goals to take her season's total to a remarkable forty two league goals.

Lindfield, with the slope and some vociferous support behind them proceeded to cause the United defence problems with huge kicks from the goalkeeper. There was no stopping the home attack as Lindfield equalised and then raced into a four one lead. The visitors with Kara Bugden prominent gradually began to get back into the game in the second half. Laura Sherwood's late strike brought the score back to six five to set up an exciting finale but Lindfield sealed a deserved victory with the last kick of the game.

TEAM: Acott, Hubert, Whitfield, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Shrubb, Horne, McGovren.
SUBS: White, Dyer.
SCORERS: Shrubb(4), Sherwood
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

In the first half Chichester were content to defend deep and absorb the visitors direct approach play. The best chances fell to United on the counter but Abbey Shrubb was twice denied by the Littlehampton keeper. Just when it appeared that Chichester would reach the interval without conceding, a well struck shot from distance beat the excellent Sam Wiseman in the Chichester goal.

Chichester took the game to Littlehampton in the second half and some great passing and movement saw the home side take control. Unfortunately for United the Littlehampton defence were equal to the task and kept the Chichester attack at bay. United brought on an extra attacker in an attempt to get the equaliser they would have merited and the goal appeared to have arrived when Abbie Crook timed a run to perfection to meet a through ball from Imogen Horne but again great keeping from the Littlehampton keeper denied the talented midfielder.

As is often the case, from the resulting clearance a fine left wing cross was swept home to kill off Chichester. A third goal in the dying seconds was rough justice on a Chichester team that were tremendous throughout a match of the highest quality played at a very fast pace.

TEAM: Wiseman, Maher (A), Spicer, Whitfield, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Hendy, Chamberlain.
SCORERS: -
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

Chichester returned to action for the first time in over a month with a battling performance against a strong Eastbourne side.

United showed no signs of the long lay off in the early stages and Abbey Shrubb twice went close before scoring with a left footed volley from distance. Eastbourne came back into the game but the home side continued to look more likely to score again as Shrubb was denied by a last ditch tackle and a then from a flying save from the Eastboune keeper. However, it was the visitors who scored next, equalising from a corner and then began to take control of the game and then took the lead just before the interval. Within five minutes of the re-start Eastbourne increased their lead.

To their credit, Chichester didn't panic and continued to play their passing game and slowly began to re-assert themselves on the opposition. United pulled a goal back midway through the half with a wonderful counter attack. Sian Spicer broke up an attack just outside her own penalty area, advanced into the opposition half and threaded an inch perfect pass through to Shrubb who calmly slotted past the advancing keeper.

The home side began to dominate the game as the defence with Shelley Whitfield in top form finally got to grips with the dangerous Eastbourne strikers. United pressed relentlessly for the equaliser. Steph Madden broke through only to be denied by a fine tackle. Just when it seemed that Chichester would be denied a share of the spoils, a well worked short corner routine enabled Abbie Crook the time and space to pick out an unmarked Shrubb and the tall striker made no mistake from the edge of the six yard box. The match was a very entertaining encounter superbly controlled by match official Darren Welch.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Pike, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Spicer, Hubert, Dyer
SCORERS: Shrubb (3)
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

Chichester picked up their first points of the new year with a comfortable victory over a spirited Roffey side. United started the game in a determined mood and effectively won the game in the first twelve minutes. Abbey Shrubb with two trademark strikes and a cool finish from Eve McGovren gave the home side a three nil lead.

The Robins then managed to frustrate Chichester for the rest of the half. Shrubb completed her hat trick from the penalty spot at the start of the second half. Imogen Horne then illustrated her potential as a striker with two predatory finishes either side of another Shrubb goal.

Firstly by reacting quickest after a Shrubb shot came back of the post and then controlling the ball in a crowded penalty area, turning and volleying past the Roffey keeper. Hayley Dyer had a very promising debut in attack for Chichester and was unlucky not to score near the end when she flashed a shot narrowly wide.

TEAM: Acott, Whitfield, Spicer, Maher (R), Wiseman, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, McGovren, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Maher (A), Kay, Dyer
SCORERS: Shrubb(4), Horne(2), McGovren
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

The visitors took the lead after the break when Shrubb collected the ball on the halfway line, took on two defenders and fired an unstoppable shot from long range. Once the home side overcame the shock of going behind they began to over power Chichester and the equaliser soon followed. Littlehampton quickly regained the lead and for Chichester to repeat the comeback was just too much to ask of the smaller side.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Hendy, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Wiseman, Whitfield, Kay
SCORERS: Shrubb (2)
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

Surprisingly given first use of the favourable conditions presented by the small, acutely sloping pitch, Chichester proceeded to race into a three goal interval lead. Abbey Shrubb fired over twice before opening the scoring following good work by Abbie Crook. Imogen Horne rounded the keeper and found the corner of the net from distance for the second goal and then made it three, cooly slotting home following Steph Madden's surging run and inch perfect pass.

East Grinstead threw everything at United at the start of the second half. However, it was the visitors who scored again, Shrubb skipping past two challenges to smash the ball into the back of the net following a Chantelle Kay pass. The home side deservedly pulled one back midway through the half, but, with keeper Ruth Acott in outstanding form United ran out comfortable winners against one of the strongest sides in the division.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Whitfield, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Kay
SCORERS: Shrubb (2), Horne (2)
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

This local derby produced an entertaining match in front of a large crowd at Oaklands. Littlehampton started the match well enjoying early possession in the Chichester half, but it was the home side which took the lead.

Alice Hendy and Abbie Crook created the opportunity for Abbey Shrubb to chip the ball over keeper Naomi Parfoot from the edge of the area. Littlehampton equalised immediately as a left wing cross found it's way into the back of the net. As the half wore on the visitors enjoyed more possesion and only two fine saves from Sam Wiseman kept the scores level at the break.

The second half was a different story as the home side's passing game kept Littlehampton on the back foot throughout. Chichester began to dominate, without being able to produce the all important second goal. Unfortunately for the home side, a counter attack produced a corner on the right which was turned in through a crowded goal mouth to give Littlehampton the lead.

United, driven forward by the excellent Laura Sherwood forced Littlehampton to defend desperately for the remaining twenty minutes but the visitors hung on to take the three points.

TEAM: Wiseman, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Hendy, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Whitfield, Kay, McGovren
SCORERS: Shrubb
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

The Brighton girls, who play academy football for Brighton, Southampton and Fulham gave a large crowd at Church Road a wonderful exhibition of passing and movement. However, to Chichester's credit, the home side worked tirelessly to keep pace with the visitors. Most of the game took place in the Chichester half, but United's superb defence largely restricted Brighton to shots from distance. Little was seen of the home side on the counter attack as retention of the ball became harder as Chichester's younger and smaller midfield obviously tired on the big pitch.

Chichester take great credit from this performance and as one of the best passing teams in the division themselves the improving United side now know the level they have to reach to be the very best.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Whitfield, Crook, White, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Sherwood, Wiseman, Kay
SCORERS: -
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

Chichester were made to work hard for the victory by a courageous Billingshurst side. It wasn't until Abbie Crook headed in goal number four from Imogen Horne's clever chip on the hour mark, that the visitors could finally relax and play the football that has been a feature of their game this season.

Quick thinking by Nicole White put Chichester in front after ten minutes but Billingshurst soon equalised and proceeded to frustrate Chichester until Abbey Shrubb scored on the stroke of half time.

Driven forward by the excellent defence of Amber and Rosie Maher, Sian Spicer and Kara Bugden Chichester began to dominate the game in the second half and debutant Eve McGovren doubled the lead with a calm finish. Once Crook had headed the fourth, the visitors scored a further six goals in the final quarter as the home side tired. Shrubb scored a second, Horne then scored for the third match in succession and then set up Shrubb's third with a neat lay off. Sian Spicer blasted in a free kick, Crook netted her second and Steph Madden rounded the keeper to complete the scoring.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Whitfield, Crook, White, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Sherwood, Kay, McGovren
SCORERS: Shrubb(3), Crook(2), White, McGovren, Horne, Spicer, Madden
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

The contrasting styles of the two teams produced another entertaining game. Two goals in two minutes midway through the second half settled the game in favour of the home side.

Adur's more direct physical approach took the game to Chichester in the early stages but the visitors looked very dangerous on the break. United's lively attack gave a couple of warnings of their threat before a superb counter attack down the right released Nicole White to advance into the box and fire an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. Adur continued to attack with passion but the United defence held firm until two speculative efforts found their way into the visitors net to give the home side the lead. Back came Chichester who drew level on the stroke of half time. Imogen Horne reacted quickest to slot home following a White cross.

Chichester were the quickest to settle at the start of the second half and Abbey Shrubb was unfortunate to see her effort cleared off the line following another incisive move involving White and Shelley Whitfield. The clearance proved to be the turning point as Adur took the lead immediately from another long shot and went on to dominate the next passage of play as Chichester tired. Two more goals from the home side looked to have killed off United but a couple of changes stimulated the visitors who proceeded to dominate the final ten minutes. Abbey Shrubb pulled a goal back with a wonderful chip from the edge of the area to set up an interesting finale but despite a couple of near misses Adur held on to take the points.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), Bugden, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, White, Shrubb, Horne.
SUBS: Wiseman, Whitfield, Kay
SCORERS: White, Horne, Shrubb
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

Chichester continued their good start to the season with a comprehensive victory in Worthing against hard working opposition.
United struggled to break down the home side's off-side trap in the early stages and it wasn't until midway through the half when Abbey Shrubb restored the lead that the visitors began to take control.

Shrubb went on to score six in total and strike partners Kaylyn French and Imogen Horne also got on the score sheet as Chichester played some nice passing football through out the second half.

There were encouraging debuts from Sam Wiseman and Shelley Whitfield in a fine all round team performance.

TEAM: Acott, Maher (A), Spicer, Maher (R), White, Whitfield, Sherwood, Crook, Shrubb, French, Horne.
SUBS: Wiseman, Kay
SCORERS: Shrubb (6), French, Horne
REPORTER: John Spicer
 

Chichester made a good start to their league programme against a resolute Billingshurst side.

The home side created several good opportunities before Nicole White broke the deadlock after fifteen minutes. Chichester's passing game produced goals at regular intervals throughout a match played in blistering heat. Abbey Shrubb with five, Kaylyn French with two, Amber Maher and Abbie Crook were the other scorers.

TEAM: Acott, Kay, Spicer, Maher (R), Chamberlain, Madden, Sherwood, Crook, Maher (A), Shrubb, White.
SUBS: French, Budgen
SCORERS: Shrubb (5), French (2), Maher, Crook
REPORTER: John Spicer