Chichester City’s young guns went into the record books after a busy six days saw them end their County Under-18 League campaign in some style.
A convincing 8-0 win over title contenders Clymping was followed by equally-impressive performances against Ferring and East Preston, who they beat 5-1 and 7-0 respectively.
It not only means that City finish top, eight points clear of second-placed Pagham, but also sees them become the first county under-18 side to complete back-to-back league campaigns unbeaten, the last defeat coming in April 2010. On top of that, the seven-goal haul against EP took their league tally for the season to 106 beating, in two fewer games, Southwick’s previous league best of 105.
Goals from Forry (3) Groom (3), Manners and Barton capped a superb display to take three points and claim the title against a Clymping side who were still harbouring faint title hopes.
If Ferring thought that with the title secured, Chichester would take it easy, they were soon proved wrong. Forry netted another two goals and these, with two more from Manners and one from Bigwood edged the team closer to their record targets.
With players also involved in senior games over the weekend and some playing their fifth game in six days, Tuesday’s squad had started to show signs of wear.
Bigwood, Madden and Bugiel were all absent but with George Richardson proving a true asset following his step up to county football and Lotten, Kubega and Trevethon coming in, it was a confident and determined side who took to the park.
First-half doubles for Groom and Forry – the latter taking his tally to 50 for the season – ensured the unbeaten record stayed intact before a second-half Manners strike was added to with two from Kubega to confirm the place in the record books. This has been a testing two years for Chichester City FC but with positive changes and improvements on and off the pitch, the success of this squad reflects the current feeling the club are building towards a bright, new future.
CHICHESTER: W Burrows, T Cowell, C McGreal, C Cody (Cpt.), C Heath, R Madden, O Lotten, T Bigwood, M Forry, T Groom, T Lynch, O Bugial, A Barton, J Manners, G Richardson, M Trevethon, D Kubega, J Snow.
Bosham Youth 6 Predators 1
Bosham were quickly into their stride, creating a number of chances in the first 15 minutes.
Their patience paid off with good moves leasing to four goals in 25 minutes. Charlie Hawes, Rob Hayler and Tim Callen (2) were the scorers. Hayler and Callen both scored with great headers from assists by Jack Antony.
The second half was a quieter affair but Bosham notched their fifth from the spot. Callen completed his hat-trick. Predators were awarded a penalty when Jack Antony was adjudged to have impeded a player in the box and the Predators keeper scored past Callum Fewell.
Bosham rallied in the last 15 minutes and Rob Hayler got his second with a determined run past the keeper. Man of the match was Antony.
BOSHAM: Callum Fewell, Billy Brown, Stuart Andrews, Phil Merrick, Aaron Domblides, James Adams, Kieran Carter, Tim Callen, Jack Antony, Charlie Hawes, Rob Hayler, Adil Rahman.
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