Tough Draw In West Sussex - Chichester City vs. Eastbourne Town

Match action in the shadow of The Festival Theatre

This weekend my parents were visiting and so I needed somewhere where my Mum could have an enjoyable afternoon while me and my Dad were at a game. Arundel and Winchester were away so we opted for a day trip to Chichester for their Sussex County League clash against Eastbourne Town. This was the visitors' first season back in The County League following last season's relegation from The Ryman League. It was a Ryman League I attended when I saw them defeat much fancied Dulwich Hamlet a couple of seasons ago. They were having a good season, sitting in fourth place, just too far back to challenge either Dorking and Littlehampton for the title. Chichester were three places above the relegation zone but had a big enough barrier between themselves and Hailsham in the final relegation place. In the reverse fixture at The Saffrons, the game ended in a two two draw.

Kick off at Oaklands Way

There are no chances of note early on and the game is delayed by a head injury before the game can get going. The Chichester player is knocked unconscious and eventually leaves in an ambulance. The first real chance comes when the Eastbourne defender sells his keeper short with a weak back header but the attacker can't get enough on the ball and he is able to claim the ball. There are a lot of heavy tackles flying in and the referee does well to keep his cards in his pocket. Eastbourne take the lead with their first effort on goal with a well placed header following a driven cross from the right. The home keeper almost gifts the visitors a second when he spills a free kick but he is able to claim it at the second attempt. Chichester's first major chance is a header that is flashed just wide after a good run and cross down the wing. They have another chance when the Chichester forward controls a long ball and passes to his team mate who puts the ball well over. the home side finish the half the stronger as another great cross just eludes the head of the onrushing striker.   

Chichester attack in the first half. The cathedral spire is in the background.

Chichester push on from the restart and equalise very early in the second half. Unfortunately all we see of the goal from the clubhouse is the players celebrating. Eastbourne have a chance to get the ball in with a free kick but it is wasted. Chichester then have a great chance to complete the turn around when the forward traps the long ball but his effort goes just wide of the target. The game is still very full bloodied as both sides look to get a foothold in the midfield. The home side fashion another good chance when the pacey forward gets one on one with the defender but he stands his ground and the attack breaks down. Both teams have decent chances to win the game in the final five minutes. Firstly, a fantastic crossfield ball finds the Eastbourne winger in space but his cross is a poor one. Shortly afterwards, the Chichester forward finds space in the area and the Eastbourne keeper makes a great save to keep the scores level. From the resulting corner, a Chichester player has a free header which is unfortunately put well over. The referee blows for full time immediately afterwards.  

Another view of the stand

As I eluded to earlier, there is a lot to see in Chichester. The main thing being the impressive Cathedral which is half way between the ground and the station. There is also the attractive high street and several other interesting buildings. To get to Chichester you take a train from Victoria and you get there in around an hour and a half. The ground is then a steady twenty minute walk from the station. Just around the corner from the ground is The George And Dragon Inn which had a couple of ales on and did tasty looking food. There are two bars at the ground, one upstairs and one downstairs. Apparently, the upstairs one is nicer so went there and there were the usual drinks and it also had BT Sports. In terms of food, I thoroughly recommend the hot dogs. Before we went for our evening meal we popped in to The Fountain which is a good half way house on the way to the station.

Clubhouse and covered standing