Chichester ladies out to put cup heartbreak behind them

Sussex Ladies’ Cup final

Chichester failed to retain the county cup despite a brave effort against Brighton at Lancing.

With several injuries to key players, Chichester knew they had a tough job on their hands against a side looking for promotion into the Women’s Super League.

Brighton forced an early corner which was headed over and soon created a shooting chance from the edge of the area which went wide.

Chichester looked dangerous on the counter-attack and might have taken the lead when Kally Ambler was sent clear only for her pass to Waller to be cut out. Waller was again played through by Ambler but her effort was blocked.

Brighton took the lead when, after slick build-up play, the ball found its way to a midfielder on the edge of the area and she unleashed a piledriver which left Piiroinen with no chance.

Chichester continued to create chances and a superbly-weighted delivery into the box from a deep free-kick, the ball was headed goalwards only for two Brighton defenders to clear.

Chichester’s first corner gave Taylor McGlashan a chance but her header lacked power and Ambler’s follow up shot sailed over the crossbar.

Brighton created a succession of chances early in the second half but a combination of tenacious defending and good goalkeeping kept it at 1-0.

Brighton continued to force corners and one of these led to their second. A delivery to the back post caught everyone off-guard and despite Piiroinen having the ball in her hands the ball was bundled in.

Once again the goal seemed to spur on Chichester and they had several chances from long distance.

Late on Chichester sent Lauren Cheshire forward from the back and her link-up play with Ambler and tireless running caused problems for Brighton.

Chichester continued to creat chances until the final whistle but were unable to score.

City return to league action at Oaklands Park against Larkhall this Sunday (March 22, 2pm).

Pompey 2 Chichester City Ladies’ Dev Squad 1

AFTER a 2-0 home loss to Pompey, City ventured to Hampshire wanting to get their own back.

They made a slow start and Portsmouth’s pressure almost paid off when a ball came into the box and the hosts hit the post.

Pompey did get the breakthrough when a free-kick was delivered to the front post. Hannah McNamara got a hand to the delivery but the ball landed in a body of players for Rebecca Bell to put the ball into the net.

City began to play some good football and Gemma Halford, Becky Steed and Georgina Starkey began to get to grips as the new back three, with Ellie Hawes breaking down most attacks in her new holding midfield role.
Chichester created many chances and Jemma Cottam-Verbruggen, Jess Pike and Abbey Shrubb got plenty of shots away.
Shrubb set up Pike, who slotted the ball in off the underside of the bar.

At half-time, injured Steed was replaced by Kerri Grant, with Hawes slotting in at the back. Starkey went down with an injury and made way for Natalie Clarke.
Pompey began to apply a lot of pressure, which paid off as Megan Gratton picked up the ball on the edge of the box and curled the ball past McNamara.

Rachel Towler came on and played some great balls for Jess Pike. Both teams remained solid despite late chances.

City can be very proud of their performance and look forward to taking on West Ham reserves at Clymping on Sunday.