Chichester City Youth (0) 2 vs 1 (1) Chichester City Colts

Report by Steve Price

This proved to be another close, skilful and fully committed encounter between two talented Chichester teams. No motivation is needed when you’re playing against friends and school mates and that went someway to accounting for the frenetic pace of the game on a heavy pitch. City Youth were looking to continue their recent run of good results and no doubt Colts were keen to avenge their 2 – 4 home defeat from earlier in the season.

Colts kicked off and were quickly in to their stride. That their top scorer was playing in a slightly more advanced role than in their last meeting was soon evident and the defence of Daley, Robinson, Leonard and Brennan needed to be right on their game to deal with his movement and threat. With 7 minutes gone Colts broke down their left having won the ball (there was a strong case for it having been won by a foul) but there was no doubting the quality of the cross as it was delivered perfectly to the back post where former City Youth player Peake banged it home. Deservedly 1-0 to Colts who were looking the better of the 2 sides.

It was 10 minutes before City Youth had a proper sight of goal but even then it was only a half chance. Looking up Bennetts found Price, he released Gambrill, only for a defender to challenge and concede a corner. Daley hit it deep but Martin’s difficult volley skewed away from goal. City Youth were pressing well as a team and Gallop was outstanding (I mean really outstanding) in his defensive duties at the base of midfield but too many of the clearances were going behind Thorn’s goal line for corners. There were half a dozen Colts corners in quick succession and any one of them could have brought a goal. The corners were swung in with pace and depth around the 6 yard box for the big Colts lads to attack – it’s easy to see what an effective weapon this is for them. However, City Youth went with their men and challenged, doing enough to prevent the attackers from ever being able to strike unopposed. It proved to be enough. Other than corners Colts were kept at arm’s length and, when they shot from distance, Thorn was excellent in his handling.

With 5 minutes or so to go in the half City Youth threatened. First Bennetts had the ball laid back to him and spotting the ‘keeper off his line the captain attempted a chip - an intelligent effort though it went wide. Then Price had a sniff, put through but with a defender snapping at his heels he managed a shot but the goalie smothered it. The loose ball went out for a corner, Daley crossed and at the back post Gambrill’s effort went tantalisingly wide.

Colts had edged the half and went to the break with a lead but City Youth knew they had plenty of time left; last week to turn things around they’d scored twice in the last 5 minutes so there was no need to panic here. The manager made a few tweaks. The forwards were to play closer together, the midfield would be more compact not so much a defensive move, though it would help, but more to make it easier when we had possession. Gambrill would come back on opposition corners to add his physical presence and Peyman would go forward to counter-attack with his speed. Good was now also on and his height would be useful at the heart of the back four. There was a definite belief that things could be turned round and that faith was about to be repaid.

Just a minute gone and City Youth had a corner. Bennetts cross pinged in low, Good ran round his marker to nip in at the front post but his shot was wide. A positive start; the tide was turning. With 6 minutes of the half gone Furlonge-Walker attacked and won a towering header in midfield, Gambrill latched on to it with plenty of Colts players for attention. Furlonge-Walker added his power to the mix and together they forced a corner. Daley crossed, no one made the all-important clearance before the ball bounced, and in to a frantic 6 yard box stepped Furlonge-Walker to stab home the equaliser. Game very much on.

If the first half had belonged to Colts the second half was City Youth’s. The defence was solid and in particular Leonard was doing the vital job of containing their striker. You couldn't totally starve him of the ball but crucially Leonard was preventing him facing the goal, or getting up any speed. With the midfield working so very hard to cut off supply Colts were altogether a blunter threat. Martin was brought back on. Instant impact. He took up an advanced position, his first touch split the away defence and played Furlonge-Walker in on goal. He kept his cool and slid his shot comfortably past the ‘keeper for his second of the game. The home side celebrated but it was the next bit that was so good. They kept their composure, they kept their shape and they made sure that the lead didn’t slip. Colts had another corner but it came to nothing; at the other end Martin combined well with Daley only for the latter’s shot to go just wide, but the action once City Youth had the lead was largely immaterial. City Youth had fought back, had got in to the lead and now there was no way they were going to let it go.

It had been a good match – Chichester is fortunate to have 2 such exciting teams – but City Youth were understandably delighted to have taken the points – and the bragging rights for school the following day. Very well done boys.

Team: Thorn, Brennan, Leonard, Robinson, Daley, Gallop, Bennetts, Martin, Bennetts, Price, Gambrill, Peyman, Good.