City Sunk By Dockers

History Makers: Chi players celebrating the win against Whitstable in the FA Vase earlier in the season (Picture - Andy Nunn)

It's been some season for Chichester City, both on and off the field. History making in an amazing run in the FA Vase complemented with an upcoming cup final against Pagham and a league campaign that for a long time seemed to promise the prospect of promotion. And then other challenges to deal with.

That man Lee Robinson did for Chichester again in the midweek match, with two second half goals that condemned City to a third home defeat in six. Robinson, the SCFL premier division leading scorer with 44 goals this season, bagged a hat-trick back in October in the reverse fixture when Newhaven won 3-2.

City, who had started with real intensity a week ago at Oaklands Park against second place Three Bridges, were a little flat and the visitors might have gone ahead after only two minutes when Ellis Martin gave his keeper something to think about with a lob that Ant Ender just managed to head away from Robinson.

Then the Chi shot-stopper was forced to make a double save as the Dockers pushed for an opener before a fine delivery from the right was headed just over Ender's bar.

Kaleem Haitham, who's scored five goals in his last seven games, had the home side's first effort but fired wide of the right hand post on 10 minutes.

Dan Hegarty also dragged one wide three minutes later before Scott Jones missed a sitter.

Just after the half hour Ender got a strong hand on a fierce drive.

Haitham next saw a super effort palmed over the crossbar a minute before half time by Jake Buss and Hegarty went close from the corner stabbing the ball the wrong side of the woodwork from close range.

HT 0-0

A fierce shot went narrowly wide for Newhaven after the break and on 53 minutes Ender pushed a low cross away from danger.

A Kieran Hartley special looked to be dipping under the bar but it was somehow tipped away spectacularly for a corner.

Ryan Peake went close for Chi when he got a header on Haitham's free-kick on 57 minutes.

Next Jones jinked skilfully past a couple of players in the box and his shot almost nicked in off Hegarty but Buss got his body behind the ball.

Newhaven then broke away. Ebou Jallow played Robinson in and a neat finish put the visitors one up.

Another header from Peake from another free-kick almost got Chi back on level terms before only a brilliantly timed tackle by Martin prevented Robinson getting in again.

Robinson though wasn't going to miss with his next chance and doubled his side's lead with a tap-in after he took advantage of a mishap from Ender on 67 minutes.

Chi huffed and puffed but couldn't find a way back into it.

Newhaven are the first side to do a home and away double over City in the league this season.

League leaders Haywards Heath visit Oaklands Park at the weekend before Chichester face Pagham twice in four days.

Next Wednesday the local rivals meet in the final of the Sussex RUR Cup at Lancing before the last league game of the season at Pagham on the Saturday.

Chichester – Ender, Lis, Peake, Lee, Pashley, Hegarty, Martin, Murfin (Hartley), Haitham, Jones, Hutchings

Updated 22:40 - 30 Aug 2019 by Ian Worden