Chichester's hockey hopes go west in Devon

It was a tough week for Chichester's hockey teams - read how they got on below and get involved in our hockey coverage.
Alex Thakore couldn't save Chichester against the University of Exeter / Picture by Kate ShemiltAlex Thakore couldn't save Chichester against the University of Exeter / Picture by Kate Shemilt
Alex Thakore couldn't save Chichester against the University of Exeter / Picture by Kate Shemilt

To get reports published here and in the Chichester Observer, send them - and team pictures - to [email protected]

University of Exeter 2 Chichester 0

National League Conference West

Chichester lost to an in-form Exeter team.

The game started at a fast tempo, with Chichester holding their positions well.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With Chichester applying pressure deep into the Exeter half, chances went begging.

Penetration came but there was no goal for the travelling side and with the half finishing 0-0, Chichester felt frustrated not to be ahead.

Soon after half-time Ollie Baxter was closed down by the goalkeeper to deny him from three yards out.

Breaks from Jack Lerwill, Matt Cox and Alex Thakore appled pressure to the struggling Exeter defence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chichester’s defence held strong from key interventions by Johnny Orozco, Kieran Henn, Dan Brook and Louis Gibbons to keep Exeter at bay.

Unfortunately, an unforced error by the Chichester defence meant Exeter pounced on the turnover to score at the back post.

Chasing the game, Chichester were on full attack mode to search for an equaliser and won a plethora of short corners but the Exeter defence held strong.

Because of their continued pressure, Chichester were vulnerable at the back and conceded with five minutes to go.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite the setback Chi countered with wave after wave of attack, still resulting in no joy.

It finished 2-0 but despite the loss, Chichester feel confident leading into this Sunday’s home game against Cheltenham (12.15pm). All support appreciated.

With three league games to go Chichester are seventh in the ten-team Conference West - with work to do.

The team who finish bottom go down while ninth place means a relegation play-off, which Chi survived last year but don’t want to go through again.

Eastbourne Ladies 2nds 3 Chichester Ladies 2nd 1

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An early start saw Chi ladies’ second team head to Eastbourne to face the team who are top of Sussex division one.

Chichester knew they had to play better than the previous week if they were going to make any impression on the home side.

The game started evenly with the home side with a slight advantage, Chi having to work very hard to keep them at bay.

The hosts were the first to score but this gave Chi impetus and they got on top. Eastbourne were getting rattled with fine marshalling from Vicky Oliver-Catt at the back.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chi levelled from a penalty corner. The first strike came from Sarah Jessop and the rebound fell to Jenna Greenway at the top of the D, and she struck the ball firmly into the goal.

In the second half Eastbourne stepped up their game and scored a second ten minutes in.

There was some great passing from Chichester and were confident they could get an equaliser and they worked so hard to do so but the chances just weren’t coming.

Chi put themselves under pressure, grew tired and Eastbourne got their third.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

This was a hard-fought match and there’s another one to come when Southwick come to town on Saturday.

Chi ladies 2nds: Claire Young, Tracy Austin, Charlotte Stemp, Alex Hurd, Vicky Oliver-Catt, Sarah Jessop, Rachel Trent, Maddie Wright , Cheryl Parrott, Harriet Gray, Charlotte Binning, Jenna Greenway.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking sports news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be among the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Related topics: