Hockey: Chichester leave their mark on Staines

Staines showed their intentions by winning two short corners in the first minute. But Dan Godsmark, in goal, kept the away side out.

Chichester began to move the ball around accurately, which meant Staines had to resort to a half-court press for the majority of the first half.

Patient passing from Luke Matthews and Gerald Cox drew Staines out, which allowed Matt Cox to drift past the keeper and pass to Martin Gough to finish in an open goal.

Chichester’s second came from an Alex Thakore cross rebounding off the post to a stunned Richard Blakesly, who calmly pushed the ball home.

Sparshott created an opportunity from nothing with a 40-yard run to set up Alex Baxter at the back post. Staines grabbed a goal back to trail 3-1 at half-time.

Chichester created numerous chances in the second half, which Gough and Matt Cox capitalised on to make it 5-1.

Staines pressed the home side hard for the last 15 minutes. Dubious umpiring decisions saw the Chichester coach become more animated on the touchline, leading to a green card.

Staines got a consolation in the last minute, but a good display left Chichester third in the south premier league.

Chichester Priory Park Ladies II 0 Horsham II 4

Chichester ladies are improving with every game and although they haven’t won yet, they are a determined bunch and know the right results are just around the corner.

They started brilliantly and were all over Horsham, who are second in the league. But soon Horsham put on the pressure and stepped up their own game and were rewarded when they scored from a penalty corner. Chichester made it hard for the opposition but it was 2-0 at half-time.

In the second half, Beth Marks and Lottie Greenlees were outstanding and hassled Horsham, who went three up from a corner.

Chichester had several attacks with Hudson and Thew making excellent runs and nearly getting one back.

But Horsham got another from open play.

CHICHESTER: Elena Hlynianski, Mel Banks, Mel Howarth, Sharon Rich, Wianneke Kastelein, Beth Marks, Kate Helme, Tracy Austin, Lyndsay Hudson, Sally Thew, Lottie Greenlees, Anastasia Boonen-Vases, Elaine Murphy, Lottie Brouwer, Amy Chaplin.

Centurions 1 Southwick 2  

Ladies’ Sussex League

Centurions began with determination, moving the ball around with imagination and pace.

Debbie Brown blocked several attacking runs by Southwick down the left while Lisa Proctor repeatedly intercepted the ball in the midfield and swept it away.

Claire Mealing made several attempts to break through but Centurions were unable to convert a short corner. Despite several excellent saves by goalkeeper Chantelle Hedge, she was unable to stop a well-executed shot from Southwick.

Minutes before half-time, Molly Johnston kept possession to provide Louise Thew with the ball which she skilfully manoeuvred past the Southwick defence.

Nicki Edge and Louise Harris provided solid defensive support, Harris being temporarily substituted when she received a mild head injury from a flying ball.

Centurions had several attempts that narrowly missed. With less than ten minutes left, a fast break by Southwick resulted in a well-struck winner.

CENTURIONS: C Hedge, M Harbord, A Skinner, N Edge, L Hurford, D Brooker, L Proctor, L Thew, C Mealing, M Johnston, N Williams, D Brown, L Harris.

Southampton III 1 Chichester IV 3

Chichester soaked up early pressure before striking on the break with good link-up play between Blanks and Durant, setting up Procter to score.

Southampton levelled with a hard-fought goal before half-time.

In the second period Chichester moved up the gears, regaining the lead from a brilliant penalty corner as Gammon slipped the ball to Ash Simmonds to sweep in.

Macey’s fierce shot hit the post, but the points were sealed by Mikey Simmonds, tapping in at the far post after Procter set him up.

CHICHESTER: Torrence, Worthen, White, Lally, Walrond, Steely, Durant, A Simmonds, Gammon, Blanks, M Simmonds, Macey, Procter, McCartin.

Chichester Bad Habits 0 Middleton & Bognor 5

A strong Bognor & Middleton side began with a number of successful attacks on goal, dominating the first half.

Chichester fought back, but despite some spectacular saves by goalkeeper Ruth Duckers, the final score was 5-0.

Chichester: Duckers, Vincent, Priddle, Willway, Cruttenden, McKie, Gilmour, Lake, Stannett, Wilkins, Packman, Wingfield, Darke.

Chichester Chipmunks 4 Eastbourne IV 2

Chichester got their season going again with a fine win against experienced Eastbourne.

From the whistle Chichester dominated, and Futcher linked well with Hindmarsh and the evergreen White, who led the frontline with gusto.

Eastbourne took the lead against the run of play. Stung, Hindmarsh scrambled one home to equalise - only for Eastbourne again to take the lead before half-time.

The young Chipmunks side showed real character in the second half against a tiring Eastbourne, with Futcher equalising from a short corner then putting Chichester ahead with a reverse-stick shot.

Sturdy and Lowther were hassling the Eastbourne midfield and Chichester worked hard to close down the Eastbourne players. Chichester pushed farther ahead and run out deserved winners 4-2.

CHICHESTER: Donaldson, Clark, Brixey, Neame, Gleeson J, Sturdy, Gleeson T, Futcher, Sowden, White, Hindmarsh, Creswick, Lowther, Kathegesu.

Chichester III 5 Trojans III 3

George Farr’s double gave Chichester a 2-1 half-time lead. Dan Moon (2) and Morgan Powell-Jones scored after the break to make sure of the victory.

CHICHESTER: T Strudwick, M Trent, A Hagell, F Hagell, H Jenkins, K Lyons, G Farr, D Moon,

B Richardson, M Powell-Jones, J Odell, C Adams.