Under-18s football: 13 is Chichester's lucky number

Steyning Town 1 Chichester City 2

Since their last-minute extra-time exit from the FA Cup in the opening game of the season, Chichester have gone 13 games unbeaten.

Wins over Steyning and previously-unbeaten league leaders Rustington completed a run of ten straight wins which have fired them to the top of the league.

In a cagey encounter with their closest league rivals, City gave away their early advantage and looked to be in trouble when strikes from Janman and O’Connor cancelled out Missick’s early strike and gave Rustington the upper hand.

Barton’s 25-yard effort just before the interval followed by another two from Missick – completing his second hat-trick in as many games – were enough to secure three valuable points.

After that, City travelled with a depleted squad to mid-table Steyning who had been hard to beat at home.

City were punished for their failure to convert several early chances into goals and somehow found themselves behind to a Chivers goal and on the back foot at half-time.

The visitors are made of resilient stuff this season, though, and a strong second-half performance saw them dominate play and grab the victory.

Centre-half Cody equalised with his first goal for the club before McCarthey clinched what should have been a much more comfortable three points.

Billingshurst 3 Barnham Trojans 7

On a wet and cold afternoon, both sides showed a high level of commitment.

The home side opened the scoring when a Billingshurst goal kick bounced awkwardly to allow a low strike into the Barnham net.

A perfectly-weighted through-ball from Marcus Taylor saw Barnham’s Pete Dearden deftly place the ball to the side of the keeper to equalise.

Joe Gilson saw his shot rebound off the post only to be bundled in by a defender who attempted to clear.

The start of the second half saw Billingshurst equalise with a blistering shot.

Taylor featured again when he ran down the wing and crossed to Gilson, who volleyed home Barnham’s third.

Barnham made it 4-2 with Ben Perkins’ low free kick turned skilfully in by Taylor.

The home side pulled one back when a throw into the heart of the defence saw the ball headed in.

Stevie Menzies tapped in to score Barnham’s fifth and Johnny James made it six when he slid in with the approaching keeper and was first to his feet to tap in the loose ball.

The away side’s seventh came when a through-ball from Gilson sliced open the Billingshurst defence and James slipped the ball to the side of the keeper to complete a comprehensive away win.

BARNHAM: Dubben, Richards, Dobson, Fortin, Perkins, Dearden, James, Gilson, Wagstaff, Temple, Taylor Sub: Menzies.

Bosham 5 Avisford Youth 1

A slow start by Bosham saw Avisford apply pressure resulting in a brilliant save by Callum Fewell.

In the 20th minute, man of the match Tim Barton scored an outstanding goal from 
25 yards and from then on, Bosham took control.

In the 25th minute Jack Randall received Tom Bigwood’s corner, casually flicking the ball to Jack Hardman, who tapped it in with ease.

Bigwood and Jordan Windsor-Marvell were individually strong, but the Bosham defence was lacking and Avisford pulled one back.

Shortly before half-time the home team were awarded a penalty. Jordan Evans took it but the keeper saved – only for Evans to score from the rebound.

From the start of the second half Bosham’s defenders were rock solid and with Matt Moore’s speed, Ryan Grace’s tackles and Randall’s head, Fewell had little to do – but the few times Avisford did break through, he was sound.

The Avisford defence grew in strength and the keeper made some great saves. With Bigwood and Barton working together brilliantly, the visitors had trouble clearing the ball and when they did, Grace stopped them.

Bigwood took another corner and it fell to Barton, whose volley brought his second goal. Two minutes later, Joe Scott played a brilliant through-ball to Bigwood, who chipped it over the keeper for Boshams fifth.

Avisford broke through for the last time but were stopped by Grace.

BOSHAM: Fewell, Moore, Grace, Randall, Windsor-Marvell, Webb, Bigwood, Barton, Jones, Hardman, Evans. Subs: Friend, Pickton, Scott.