Six-goal friendly leaves Bognor and Chichester City seeing plenty of positives

Although Bognor enjoyed the majority of possession and controlled the game, Chichester City still proved challenging opposition and managed to cause the visitors a number of problems.

Rocks debutant Jordy Mongoy earned his side the lead in the 6th minute with an unorthodox finish, as he and Alfie Stanley - a Pompey academy player turning out for Bognor - flooded the box to convert a dangerous cross from Harvey Whyte.

Following the opening goal, Chichester’s resolve was put to the test. The hosts were forced to absorb a spell of intense pressure, as Bognor targeted Chichester’s left-hand side.

The Rocks’ best chance to double their lead was fashioned by their No9 once again; Mongoy shrugged off the Chichester defence only to miscue the ball just wide of the target.

Shortly after the half-hour mark passed, Chichester capitalised on a lapse in concentration from Keaton Wood, who conceded a throw-in deep in Bognor’s half.

As the ball was thrown into play, Chichester’s Rob Hutchings delivered a dangerous cross to the far post, and Ethan Pritchard volleyed beyond the stranded Amadou Tangara to level the score.

Bognor fans were pleased to see a reaction from their Rocks, who retook the lead two minutes later through Stanley. A similar narrative to the first goal, Whyte found room to cross the ball to the far post, where Stanley was waiting to pounce for an easy finish. At the 35thminute, the scoreboard read 2-1 to the visitors.

As the first 45 drew to a close, Rocks goalkeeper Amadou Tangara hit the floor, holding his hamstring. Although it seemed likely that Bognor’s No. 1 would miss out on the second half, the Ivorian played out the full 90 minutes - to the relief of the Rocks fans. However, there were still wholesale changes for Bognor at half-time, as Eoin Taggart, also from the Pompey academy, Michael Baker, George Britton and Alfie Lis were given opportunities to impress.

Early in the second half, Mongoy coolly completed a double and gave Bognor a two-goal cushion. Then, Chichester’s Lloyd Rowlatt emphatically reduced the deficit with a powerful free kick - the deflected effort was the least that Chichester deserved after they had started the second half brightly and matched Bognor in the middle of the park.

After the game, Bognor’s assistant manager Robbie Blake reassured his supporters of Tangara’s condition, but was eager to reinforce the high standards he has of his goalkeeper.

“Amadou’s fine. He’s a big baby isn’t he!" joked Blake "To be honest, I have a bigger issue with him conceding the second goal – you should never be beaten from that distance,” Blake said.

In fact, it was Chichester’s goalkeeper who provided the most controversial moment of the game, when Steve Mowthorpe handled Bradley Lethbridge’s effort outside the box to deny a clear goalscoring opportunity. Reluctant to wave his red card during a friendly, the referee compromised by enforcing a substitution, which saw Ben Pashley – an outfield player - endure the remainder of the game between the sticks.

Despite the game materialising into a close affair, substitute Will Stone sealed the win for the Rocks, converting from the six-yard box. Whyte made the goal with a blistering run, before handing the ball over to Lethbridge, who claimed the assist.

Looking ahead, both Chichester and Bognor will take positives from their pre-season clash and begin the final preparations before the new season. After the game, Chichester’s assistant manager, Graeme Gee, spoke of his aspirations for the upcoming season.

“Another nice cup run would be good this year. Clubs at our level are in need of money so any revenue we can generate would be really welcome. I’m really happy with the boys we’ve signed this year – Ethan Pritchard in particular looked great today and should be one for the future,” Gee explained.