Cherelle Khassal and Charley Wilson-Blakely were the stars of the show but Chichester City Ladies slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home to Lewes in this FAWPL Southern encounter
Chloe Tucker’s superb free-kick gave the Oaklands Park side the lead but they couldn’t hold on to advantage and are acutely aware they must redouble their efforts when they go to Swindon next week.
City opened brightly with good passing on show and the continuing form of Khassal and Wilson-Blakely evident in the early stages. Indeed it was the former who had the first meaningful opportunity on goal as she danced her way passed defenders before seeing her efforts saved by Leah Samian.
The home side continued to impress and enjoyed good spells of territory and possession and Khassal again had a chance to open her account in the nineteenth minute when put through on goal by Jess Lewry.
Swain was up to the task and saved well but when Khassal rescued the ball at the bye line she slid it back into the path of Jenna Fowlie who drew another smart save from Samain.
The pressure had to tell and the opener came from a free kick, lashed home by the impressive Tucker. Her effort went like a rocket into the top corner, giving Samain no chance.
The hosts continued to pose the questions and their keeper, Sadie Wilson-Blakely was, for the most part, untested as the game moved past the half hour mark.
But Lewes improved and snatched an equaliser just before the break through the pacy Katie McIntyre. She burst through the Chichester back line, rounded Wilson-Blakely and slotted into the back of the net.
And it was the visitors who made the better of things after the interval with their captain, Kelly Newton, having a really strong game at the back and marshalling her troops to great effect and the blues began to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
On the hour the visitors got their noses in front when Rebecca Carter poked home from a few yards, taking full advantage of Chichester’s inability to deal with a corner sufficiently and that seemed to knock the host’s confidence.
To their credit though they battled on and had some late chances to get back on terms but the lack quality in the final third let them down. Try as they might Chichester just couldn’t find a way back into the tie and with Lewes held firm to come away with the points in the bag.
Meanwhile, City development squad lost 2-1 away to Crawley Wasps Reserves; Sophie Phelps with the Chichester goal. Loulou Robson picked up a nasty injury as she dislocated and broke her ankle and will undergo surgery today.
The U16s beat Cuckfield Cosmos away by 0-12, while the U13s Greens beat Uckfield Grasshoppers 20-0 and the U13s Whites lost 8-1 away to Oakwood.
With thanks to Alan Price
CCLFC: Sadie Wilson-Blakely, Charley Wilson-Blakely, Lauren Cheshire, Laura Ingram, Gemma Simmonds, Cherelle, Khassal, Kerrie Ryan, Tiffany Taylor, Chloe Tucker, Jenna Fowlie and Jess Lewry. SUBS: Emma Alexandre, Holly Wride, Ellis Bloomfield, Jade Widdows and Rhianna Farr
