Gym link will help Chichester ladies grow stronger

And boss Liam Greenfield believes it will be the smallest of margins that will make the difference and he is hoping the new initiative with Core Results gym will be the key.

The club’s ladies section go into the 2016-17 season looking as strong as ever with some good new signings, including the return of club stalwart Jade Widdowson and the Brighton striker Jade Widdows.

But after missing the league title by just three points, Greenfield is keen to ensure the squad do everything possible to achieve their potential this year and he is certain the athleticism of the players will have an impact.

“If last season taught us anything as a club it was that the smallest of margins could cost us points. A new strength and conditioning regime we have developed in partnership with Core Results will hopefully give us an edge in those situations,” he said.

Greenfield says Core Results is a unique set-up in terms of strength and conditioning and offers its members a service no other gym can provide, with functionally-based equipment and guaranteed results. The ladies will be able to access bio-mechanical assessments before joining the group exercise elements of the gym.

Dick Seamark is returning as the ladies’ development-squad manager and they will now play their home games at Sidlesham in the South East Counties Premier League. Their squad has been significantly boosted by the return of former first-team captain Step Madden.

The first team open their league campaign at home to Cheltenham Town on August 21 at Oaklands Park.

Chichester City Ladies 2 Wimbledon Ladies 1

New signings Jess Lewry and Keavey Price grabbed the headlines as Chichester Ladies got their pre-season action under way at Oaklands Park with a comfortable win against a well-organised Wimbledon side who had won promotion last season.

Chichester welcomed back Jade Widdows to the fold as well as Lizzy Ogden, while Becky Stead made the step up from the development squad.

Chloe Dowdell had the first meaningful chance after only ten minutes when through on goal, only to hit the post from a tight angle.

Just after the half-hour, Shannon Albuery thought she had put the hosts in front only for a late offside flag to rule out the effort.

Moments later the deadlock was broken as Keavey Price latched on to a super through ball from Dowdell and fired low into the net.

Right on half-time fellow newbie Jess Lewry was put through on goal by Widdows and needed no second invitation to smash the ball home to double the lead with the interval looming.

Chichester could have added a third after Lucy Challen provided the perfect ball into the box but no Chichester player could get a toe on to it and the chance was gone.

Jodie Pallant drew an excellent save from Emma Marlo, who later kept out a well-directed free kick from Amy Found. The Blues got on the scoresheet in the dying minutes when Emma Keedy burst through and fired an effort into the roof of the net, leaving Sally Thompson with no chance.

CITY: Sally Thompson, Lizzy Ogden, Emma Alexandre, Becky Stead, Lucy Challen, Amy Found, Keavey Price, Stacey Murray, Chloe Dowdell, Jade Widdows, Shannon Albuery. Subs: Jodie Pallant, Brooke Pallant, Jess Lewry.

ALAN PRICE

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