Chichester’s first visit to Dorking’s West Humble Playing Field ended in a 3-1 Sussex League division-one defeat.
The Surrey side were 3-1 victors, despite having their keeper sent off with half an hour remaining.
Bognor’s new midfield signing Pau Cassasa, previously with Spanish side FC Martinenc, was in the City line-up.
On a windy and rainy afternoon, Dorking took the lead after just four minutes when Jake Hill’s free-kick fell perfectly for Rob Osgood to fire home.
With the elements against them in the first half, the City defence was kept busy and keeper Matt Evans produced a string of great saves, twice denying Sean Finlay with his legs.
A one-goal advantage seemed fragile at the interval, and with the wind at their backs Chichester started well in the second-half. Dom Taylor’s 30-yard scorcher was tipped on to the bar by Paul Williams on 50 minutes.
But six minutes later it was 2-0 to Dorking, with Glen Boosey robbing Julian Boniface and lobbing it past Evans into the net.
Keeper Williams was red-carded for handling the ball outside his area, with defender Shane Duffell subsequently taking over the gloves.
City were soon back in contention, with Jack Blatchford’s free-kick finding Boniface, whose glancing header beat the stand-in keeper.
Duffell appeared vulnerable in his unaccustomed role, but he was given plenty of protection by his team-mates and the best option for Chichester was to try long-range assaults. Blatchford sent in one missile that flew just wide. But in the dying minutes, prolific scorer Chris Williams added another to give Wanderers a comfortable win.
Chichester hope for better when Uckfield visit Oaklands Park on Saturday.
CITY: Evans, Knight, Bigwood, Boniface, Hibbert, D Smith, Blatchford, Cassasa, Taylor, Parsons, Northeast. Subs: Lambert, Madden.
CHESTER BROWTON
St Francis Rangers 4 Pagham 1
Sussex League div one
Pagham returned to winning ways with a comfortable win at St Francis.
Howard Neighbour’s 21st-minute strike gave the Lions a half-time lead but it was cancelled out by a Kieron Pamment goal for the hosts midway through the second half.
Pagham found themselves 3-1 up within six minutes as the home side scored two own goals in quick succession.
There was no way back for St Francis and Luke Kilner put the icing on it for Pagham with a fourth two minutes from time.
Lingfield 2 Pagham 1
RUR Charity Cup second round
A late Joe Briggs goal wasn’t enough to keep the Lions in the cup.
Lingfield took control of the tie with goals at either end of the first half from Freddie Fleming and Danny Oakins.
Pagham host Crowborough this Saturday.
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