Chichester ladies aren’t up with the Lark

Larkhall Ladies 3 Chichester City Ladies 0

Chichester returned to league action after several weeks of cup ties but came off second best against Larkhall.

The first half started at a frantic pace with Larkhall pressing Chichester.

Larkhall took the lead from a set-piece on the Chichester left – a free-kick was floated in and dipped under the crossbar and into the net.

The goal woke Chichester and they began to cause problems but were unable to capitalise.

The second and third goals came in similar fashion. With Chichester searching for an equaliser, Larkhall twice broke with pace down the Chichester left and went in at half-time three goals up.

In the second half, Barron and Challen created problems for the home defence. The best chance fell to Remi Crawley but she struck a volley just over.

It was a disappointing way to end the year but the ladies are back in action on January 4 against Exeter ladies at Oaklands Park (2pm).

Chichester City Ladies Res 6 Bedford Res 0

Chichester were far too strong for a Bedford side who turned up with only nine players.

City started on the front foot with the new strike partnership of Jules Teague, making her debut, and Lauren Ellis linking well.

Jenna Fowlie broke down Chichester’s left and a free-kick was awarded. Georgia Selby whipped it into the box and Levi Thorpe met it with a great header for a 1-0 lead after eight minutes.

Teague was released by a great through-ball and finished neatly after 15 minutes.

Teague then closed down the keeper and forced a corner from which Gemma Halford came up from the back to make it 3-0.

A great header from Ellis went in but was ruled out for offside, but they did make it 4-0 before half-time after great work from Lucy Stanbridge down Chichester’s right. She delivered the ball into Ellis, whose shot found the bottom corner.

The back line was being marshalled well by Halford with Ellie Hawes and Thorpe having a good game either side of her.

A substitution at half-time saw Amy Bailey come in and she was straight into the action.

A great through-ball from Natalie Clarke was pounced on by Teague and her cross was met on the volley by Ellis for 5-0.

Skye Gould replaced Selby and finished the scoring when she won the ball off a defender and poked the ball past the keeper .

This win lifted Chichester above Bedford in the table. City’s next game is away to Lewes on Sunday, January 4.