Chichester City Ladies secured their first win of the season with a 4-1 FA Women’s Premier League Cup victory over West Ham Ladies at Oaklands Park yesterday.
The visitors were on the receiving end of a wonderful performance by Matt Wright’s charges as they swept into the next round of the cup.
Chichester, who welcomed Jade Widdows back for her first outing of the season, deservedly got their noses in front through the ever-present Jess Lewry.
She struck from 20 yards leaving keeper Lottie Ivison rooted to the spot giving Chichester a big boost in confidence, something that had largely eluded them in their first two outings this term.
But the elation was tinged with worry a few minutes later when Lucie Challen was forced off with a knee injury. Debutant Chloe Tucker took her chance from the bench to slot alongside Tiffany Taylor and Laura Ingram in defence.
On the hour, Tucker launched a free-kick into the danger area and Lewry pounced to flick a header over the advancing Ivison to make it 2-0.
The Hammers went down to 10 players when Charlotte Long was shown red for a second bookable offence before grabbing a goal. Chloe Burr raced through and then produced an exquisite chip over Sadie Wilson-Blakely.
But from the restart Chichester replied in style and Cherelle Khassal smashed in a terrific shot from the edge of the box to restore the hosts’ two-goal lead.
City made it four when Tucker launched another, typically dangerous free-kick into the West Ham box and it flew over Ivison’s head and into the far corner off the post.
This was a goal well deserved for Tucker and much can also be said for Alex Collingham, who came on for her late debut and showed real signs of quality in her short time on the pitch.
Chichester resume league aspirations next week with a trip to Cardiff City Ladies.
CCLFC: Sadie Wilson-Blakely, Lucie Challen, Lauren Cheshire, Laura Ingram, Tiffany Taylor, Jade Widdows, Charley Wilson-Blakely, Jenna Fowlie, Ellis Bloomfield, Jess Lewry and Cherelle Khassal. SUBS: Gemma Simmonds, Chloe Tucker, Holly Wride Alex Collingham and Poppy Shine.
With thanks to Alan Price
