It's in from Ingram: Chichester ladies beat Exeter

Reports are below - and you can see all the local ladies’ football each week in the Chichester Observer.

Chichester City Ladies 2 Exeter Ladies 1

Chichester City Ladies enjoyed a last-gasp win in their first league game for two months.

City had slipped to fifth, while their visitors arrived in second place.

Chichester looked the more likely to score early with the hard-working Shanno Alubery up front looking lively.

Several crosses from Chloe Dowdell and Lucie Challen caused problems inside the box. Chichester’s best chances fell to Aulbery, who twice found herself one on one with the keeper but couldn’t convert.

Exeter grew into the game and opened the scoring in a counter-attack. A long ball to their lone striker was knocked down into the path of a midfielder and from 25 yards out she unleashed an unstoppable shot into the corner.

The second half started with Chichester wrestling to regain the initiative. Tammy Waine replaced Aulbery and her intelligent running and good hold-up play was giving the Chichester midfield more options.

Kally Ambler was introduced as the onslaught for an equaliser began. Chichester created chances but good defensive organisation and some outstanding saves kept them at bay.

Exeter looked dangerous on the break but Laura Ingram and Emma Alexandre were commanding in their defending.

Amy Found saw a long-range effort tipped over the bar and Waine was denied several times, as was Ambler.

A succession of corners and free-kicks caused mayhem and finally in the 85th minute, a Found free-kick was headed in by an Exeter defender.

Chichester sensed they could win it. After a good interchange between Waine and Ambler, the latter was one on one with the keeper, only for her to make another good save.

Challen delivered a corner in the 94th minute and after appeals for handball, Ingram slotted the ball into the net to cue wild celebrations from the home team.

City are again at home in the league this Sunday (Feb 28), against St Nicholas (2pm).

Chi City Ladies Dev Squad 1 Southampton Res 5

On a boggy pitch, Chichester dominated large parts of the first half. Amber Beaven had success down the wings and Steph Mills and Amy Bailey looked a constant threat up top.

But Southampton broke the deadlock as they drove down the left and were allowed to cut inside for a shot. Shine made the initial save but the rebound was put away.

Soon, Southampton went two up as a long-range strike looped over Shine.

Just before half-time,an injury to debutant Chelsea Ford had meant a reshuffle. Mills was moved out wide and she delivered a great ball into the box for Bailey to slot home.

The second half saw City struggle to maintain possession. A couple of changes to the Southampton side had strengthened their right side.

Southampton scored a third as another long-range effort flew in.

For Chi, a free-kick delivered by Bobby Lynch fell to Bailey, only for the keeper to make a stunning save. This led to the counter-attack which created the fourth goal.

Shine made some impressive saves and Becky Steed performing well at left-back.

Injuries had led to forced changes and eventually the change of positions led to Southampton scoring a fifth.

CHI DEV SQUAD: Shine; J Pallant, Steed, Cottam Verbruggen (Cain), Ellis, Gould, Ford (Lynch), Clarke (B Pallant), Bailey, Mills, Beaven.

* Chi City girls’ under-13s lost 7-0 at home to Crawley Town, while the under-15s won 4-0 away to Withdean Youth.

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