Chichester can't keep up great start at Exeter - but ladies hammer Hill

Ollie Baxter tucked away a short corner of his own to give Chichester a seventh minute lead, which Alex Thakore (pictured) doubled soon after. But problems began for Chichester when Cuthbert pulled a goal back for Isca barely a minute later.

The game turned on its head when Tom Brooks buried three penalty corners past Chris Bristow in ten devastating minutes to give Isca a 4-2 lead early in the third quarter.

“It was very disappointing to go ahead then allow them back into the game like that,” conceded Chichester skipper Matt Sewell.

Shepherd scored Isca’s fifth before one-time Fareham player Simon Tremlett made it 6-2 from a fourth short corner success.

Alex Baxter cut the gap in the closing stages to add a touch of respectability to the final scoreline.

Sewell added: “Their 6-3 margin of victory could have been more if had it not been for some great saves from Chris Bristow in the second half. It was a long day in the rain for no points.”

- MIKE VIMPANY

Burgess Hill 1 Chi Ladies 5

Chichester travelled to Burgess Hill with a very early start and looking for their fifth win in a row. With restricted access to the away pitch prior to the game Chichester were slow in the preparation, however once the game had started they were eager to show their dominance.

With strong attacks into the Burgess Hill half the away team quickly secured their first goal with co-captain Lottie Greenlees sliding into the goalmouth and establishing a quick lead.

Chichester’s strong midfield of Bella Festa, Georgie Mctear and co-captain Demelza Peake, ensured that the pressure was applied to a young Burgess Hill team and with the silky skills of Mctear, who ran rings around the Burgess Hill defence, Chichester were very quickly 3 goals ahead.

Some fantastic transfers around the back from the solid defence of Emma Bennison, Megan ‘Two Feet’ Thomas, Jess Stanley and Man of the Match Laura Hantrais ensured that Burgess Hill found it difficult to break into the Chichester half.

Chichester went into the second half with a comfortable lead, any pressure Burgess Hill applied was cut out by the defence, and if not was saved by goalkeeper Char O’Callaghan.

Special mention goes to Amy ‘Edward’ Chaplin who selfless played in most positions to ensure that everyone else remained in their own position. Some great attacks from Maddie Hantrais ensured Chichester increased their lead with goals form Bella Festa and a fine penalty flick form Georgie Mctear to secure her third hat trick in three games.

Sally Bradley very harshly was penalised by the team for being over enthusiastic at an attacking short corner and, saving an almost certain goal for Georgie Mctear. Chichester are at home this weekend taking on Crowborough and looking for six out of six.

* Elsewhere, Chi’s men’s second team lost 2-0 at home to Andover firsts while the Chi thirds lost 4-1 at Alton.

The men’s fourths drew 1-1 with Hailsham seconds and the fifths lost 4-2 to theor Eastbourne counterparts. The Chicheter Friars lost 1-0 at Basingstoke.

Chi’s second ladies’ team had the club’s result of the day, a 9-0 success over Brighton fifths while the Chichester ladies’ thirds drew 3-3 at Burgess Hill.