COUNTY-LEAGUE leaders East Preston dumped Chichester out of the RUR Charity Cup at the Lashmar with a 3-1 win.
With Morgan Forry rested on the bench, City handed a debut to Dom Taylor in their quest to find someone who can add power to the frontline.
From the outset, EP took charge and continually swarmed round the Chichester area. There was, however, an air of nonchalance in their approach, and Biff Shelley missed a simple tap-in with four minutes played.
Shelley made amends in the 20th minute with another easy short-range offering, although the preceeding run down the right-wing seemed offside.
There was more danger on 35 minutes when EP gained a free-kick in the D of the penalty box, but Matt Axell’s shot was well saved by Matt Evans.
For all their domination the hosts had little to show for it with a single-goal advantage at the break, and one wondered whether they’d be made to pay for it when Chichester started performing with more confidence in the second-half.
City full-back Dan Smith – who had been forced to clear the ball off the line in the 50th minute – got into a threatening position but blasted a shot wide when there were other players lined up to receive it.
But with 11 minutes remaining EP struck a second goal from the penalty spot.
Dan Simmonds - available to play having not been named in the Bognor squad - sent a delivery into the goalmouth that bounced awkwardly and caught Connor Baker’s hand. Jordan Clark successfully converted, and five minutes later a brilliant diving header from Shelley made it 3-0.
City gained an 86th minute consolation through Forry.
CITY: Evans, Baker, D Smith, Hagan, Hibbert, Bradshaw, Blatchford, Northeast, Lambert, Taylor, Parsons. Subs: Forry, Brookes, Knight.
CHESTER BROWTON
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