FA Cup: Chichester and Pagham progress - Selsey are sunk

Here are the reports from all three local sides’ adventures in the famous competition.

Crawley Down Gatwick 1 Chichester City 3

FA Cup extra preliminary round

For the second consecutive Saturday, Chichester produced a come-from-behind victory, this time beating Crawley Down Gatwick 3-1 in the FA Cup.

The Anvils were dominant during the early stages and were rewarded on 15 minutes when Josh Alcock was upended by the onrushing City keeper Austin Holden. Ben Brooker converted the resultant penalty to make it 1-0.

Chichester were stirred into action and Ruben French’s free-kick led to Jimmy Wild heading the ball over before a corner resulted in another missed chance from Wild.

Crawley Down had two opportunities to increase their lead around the half-hour mark but, with City now raising their game, an equaliser seemed inevitable and arrived immediately before the break – Wild finally drilling the ball home after previous half-cleared shots had struck the bar and post.

Michael Frangou could have scored straight from the restart, but keeper Andy Greaves pushed his effort away.

However, early in the second-half Kieran Hartley fired City into the lead, having been found in space from French’s corner.

Chichester began to turn the screw and the Anvils’ back four came under more pressure having lost their early zest.

Sam Cane headed wide from a corner for the Anvils on 72 minutes, but ten minutes later a City free-kick culminated in their third goal with Wild turning quickly and slamming the ball in.

Wild almost claimed his hat-trick in the 90th minute when a cross from French was flicked just wide.

City will host Chatham in the next round of the competition on Saturday week. They are at home to Eastbourne Town this weekend.

MIKE MAY

Selsey 1 Erith Town 5

FA Cup extra preliminary round

Callum Overon’s late strike was all Selsey had to show for their efforts as Erith ran out comfortable cup victors at the High Street Ground.

Selsey return to Southern Combination division-one action this Saturday when Haywards Heath visit.

Redhill 1 Pagham 2

FA Cup extra preliminary round

Dan Simmonds’ first-half strike and a late Rob Wimble goal saw Pagham through to the prelimiunary round, in which they will entertain Corinthian Casuals.

Simmonds scored a lovely goal direct from a free-kick before the Lions lost their way a little and gave away a cheap penalty towards end of first half when Mark Cooper was harshly judged to have pushed the home centre-forward.

A Pagham formation change in the second half saw them regain control and with a few minutes remaining, Wimble picked the ball up in the box with his back to goal, and on the half-turn, he beat the keeper to make it 2-1.

Manager Jon Tucker said: “With various players at different times being unavailable because of holidays, festivals or injuries in the first couple of weeks, three wins out of three is an brilliant start, especially with so many new faces at the Lane.

“What I have is a fantastic dressing room with good banter between the lads and unbelievable support from the chairman, committee and supporters.”

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