Chichester started on the front foot and goalkeeper Chris Cook made a good save for EP after just six minutes when he saved a well drilled shot from outside the box. Chichester had another opportunity after 11 mins when a ball into the EP box was struck wide of the post.

The home side had their first real chance on 17 mins when from a Lukas Franzen-Jones free kick from just outside the box the Chichester goalkeeper Ender got down to push the ball wide of the post. Cook made another good save on 20 mins when he pushed away another shot from the away side.

Chichester took the lead when Scott Jones broke the deadlock on 29 mins when he headed in a cross from the left 0-1.

East Preston equalised after Nathan DaCosta won a great challenge in the centre of midfield and the ball broke to Dan Huet (pictured) who was through with just the keeper to beat and his excellent finish drew the sides level just before half time 1-1.

Half Time: 1-1

Chichester regained their advantage a minute after half time after a corner wasn’t dealt with by EP and the ball was allowed to find Dan Heggarty who smashed home from 12 yards 1-2.

The game was fairly open with both sides having opportunities Huet had a shot that was saved by the Chichester keeper and on 61 mins Hayden Hunter had a effort from the right that just went past the far post. Chichester increased their lead on 64 mins when Josh Clack was allowed to turn and get his shot away from the edge of the box giving Cook no chance 1-3.

EP again pulled a goal back on 72 mins when DaCosta had a shot from outside the box which took a big deflection that wrong footed the Chichester keeper and found the corner of the net 2-3.

Hunter had another shot on 78 mins that went over the bar. Chichester increased their lead once again and sealed the win on 80 mins when a cross from the left found Jones at the far post who again headed in 2-4.

In time added on from a corner Josh Etherington crashed a powerful headed against the bar and the ball was cleared to safety. The final action of the match saw Cook again make a good save from a shot from outside the box.

Full Time: 2-4

Manager Bob Paine said ‘We played a vastly more experienced and powerful Chichester side today and in my view the best team we have played in the league to date. I was generally pleased with how we played although I thought we could have defended better on all of their goals. Our young team are playing some very experienced teams at this level and we just have to stay positive and patient as this is a steep learning curve for us. We have and will continue to play football in the right way and we should look forward to the challenges ahead as this seasons experience will be invaluable to our young team’s development’.

Team: Chris Cook, Josh Parazo (Hallett 72 mins), Jacob Parazo, Nathan Da Costa, Ollie Stevenson, Josh Etherington, Jake Heryet (Bull 69 mins), Jack Barnes, Dan Huet, Lukas Franzen-Jones (Brodie 59 mins), Hayden Hunter
Subs: Ben Purkis, Jazz Gilbertson, Ryan Hallett, Conor Bull, Luke Brodie