Chichester limp to Leamington defeat - but ladies score FIFTEEN

Chichester Hockey Club’s men’s first team converted two penalty corners in the closing seven minutes but were unable to salvage a point as Khalsa Leamington returned to the midlands with a 4-3 West Conference victory.
Joe Budgen was on target for Chichester against Leamington / Picture: yasps.co.ukJoe Budgen was on target for Chichester against Leamington / Picture: yasps.co.uk
Joe Budgen was on target for Chichester against Leamington / Picture: yasps.co.uk

The result means Chichester go into the national pandemic lockdown third from bottom in the table, with a 3-2 win over Plymouth Marjon their only tangible reward from six outings.

England Hockey has now shut down leagues with immediate effect.

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Chichester were chasing the game from the off against Khalsa, who scored with their initial short corner through Joe Wells.

Joe Bugden equalised from a 21st minute set piece but soon after Ben Northedge restored Leamington’s advantage.

A Szyman Oszyjcky brace left Chichester 4-1 adrift by the hour-mark.

Oli and Alex Baxter tucked away penalty corners in the closing seven minutes, but Chichester were unable to save the day.

Chichester Ladies 15 Crowborough 0

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The rain eased as Chichester took centre stage against bottom of the league Crowborough.

Chichester were keen to get an early lead, and applied pressure to Crowborough's defence with the midfield trio of Bella Festa, Demelza Peake and Georgie Mctear tearing up the middle of the park.

It wasn’t long before Chichester scored the opening goal, 1-0 thanks to Sally ‘the bullet’ Bradley (player of the match) with a deflection. Good work from the forwards Lottie Greenless, Maddie Hantrais, Amy Chaplin and Bradley opened up gaps for the midfield to work into, meaning the goals kept coming. from Georgie Mctear, GreenLees and Festa.

The defensive line of Megan Thomas, Jess Stanley, Emma Bennison, Laura Hantrais and Jenny Horton, with great saves from goal keeper Georgie Brown, denied Crowborough.

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As the first half came to a close Chichester were 7-0 up with more goals for Mctear, Bradley and Peake.

In the second half Chichester kept their level of high play to continue the goalfest. The ladies carried on working hard as a team and this meant the goals kept coming.

The final goal tally was: Mctear (5), Bradley (4), Peake (2), Greenlees (1), Festa (1), Chaplin (1) and Hantrais (1). It left the ladies in good stead ahead of the national lockdown - top of the league and unbeaten so far this season.

* Chichester Friars enjoyed an 8-3 home victory over New Forest in Hampshire area division four. The Friars made a solid start, making several early chances before Bryan Locke opened the scoring on five minutes from open play.

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The lead was doubled on 19 minutes when Locke fired in a short corner shot.

New Forest began to settle and create chances and pulled a goal back on 25 minutes from a short corner.

Almost immediately Tracey Boyce coolly finished to score his first of the season and make it 3-1.

But New Forest kept battling and again reduced the deficit on 29 minutes, catching the Friars on the break.

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The rest of the first half was dominated by the Friars and Locke took his tally to four, first with a short corner and then from open play after a flowing Friars move. The half ended with Friars leading 5-2.

Their domination continued in the second half and the lead was extended again on 42 minutes when Mark Richmond scored from a short corner strike.

New Forest scored another breakaway on 51 minutes but the Friars remained in control and Locke scored twice more, from open play on 56 minutes and then with fierce short corner drag flick on 62.

New Forest rallied towards the end, but a string of good saves from Rob Torrance in goal kept them out.

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