Loxwood Youth (3) 7 vs 0 (0) Chichester City Youth

Report by Steve Price

For this, the Quarter Final of the County Cup, Chi made the longer than usual journey to Loxwood on a lovely still morning. That the cup tie was on at all was a pleasant surprise with games being called off all over Sussex due to water-logging. The people at Loxwood had clearly put in time and effort to get the match on and the result was a remarkably good playing surface, considering. It was a nice big pitch too for both sides to show what they could do. Loxwood (the Magpies) were in their black and white kit so Chi wore their change of green socks, black shorts and green shirt.

That we were going to see some good football was apparent from the whistle. Loxwood looked to keep the ball on the ground, play neat passes and use the full width of the pitch. When they didn't have the ball their aim was to press and win back possession within 3 seconds. It demanded ability, fitness and organisation. Chi had to work so very hard to counter this, battling and bustling in midfield, drawing on their own abilities and know-how. At full back Fellick and Brennan had to be at their best, and in the central defensive area Robinson and Leonard (and later, Good) had to watch the home side's runners - I don't think the Chi defence has ever been up against movement as good as this. Chi were holding firm but when the first goal did come, after about 10 minutes, it was the prelude to another couple too. The score had quickly become 3 - nil and Chi were in trouble.

That the score remained the same for the rest of the half and perhaps 10 minutes of the second too - so probably for half an hour - is a huge credit to the Chi lads. The Chi manager changed the formation sacrificing one of the 2 attackers to bring another man in to midfield, part of this change seeing Gambrill brought on having not started due to an injured ankle. Bennetts, the captain, was moved in to a more central position where his comfort on the ball could make a difference, Martin dropped slightly back to make the most of his wondeful competitiveness and Furlonge-Walker had a platform to attack down the right. So frustrating that Daley had to come off injured as this was just his sort of game. Gallop typified the Chi spirit with some wonderful challenges in front of the back four.

Loxwood kept doing what I presume they do week in week out. They won the ball, they played simple quick passes and they probed for openings. Pass and move, pass and move. It was a lesson. When Chi threatened it tended to be with Gambrill or Furlonge-Walker but they couldn't quite get a clear sight of goal. The best effort came from Gambrill cutting in from the left and hitting a sweet shot that was destined for the back of the net only for the home 'keeper to pull off a wonderful save. At this point, though behind, the visitors were holding their own.

At half-time, Chi could reflect that they had stabilised the game. Now if they could get a goal in the first 10 minutes of the re-start we would see what Loxwood were made of under pressure. For a few minutes Chi were looking good but then a free-kick was given away outside the box. Despite Thorn's wall, and his best efforts, there was nothing he could do as the strike was perfectly placed in the top corner. If it hadn't been already, realistically the game was now up. Chi really did strive to get a foothold in the match, they could be proud of their display, but as they tired and committed more to attack it left gaps and eventually the seventh goal was conceded.

A few impressions. The most thrilling attack was by Brennan from left-back pelting forward on a run, hurdling and weaving with the ball before playing it to Price who was disappointed not to score with a well-hit effort that smacked in to the advertising board to the side of the goal. Later Leonard also made exciting headway down the left showing wonderful verve and spirit, enough to rattle the home bench who were respectful of the Chi commitment. Fellick had a couple of strong juicy tackles at right-back that said he wasn't budging. Furlonge-Walker (Chi Man of the Match) constantly showed for the ball and demanded more of his team. Bennetts too coaxed and encouraged, taking the game to the opposition.

At the final whistle it had to be admitted that based on the way they had played that morning the right team was progressing to the semi final. Chi had never played as good a team as Loxwood and that is why the County Cup is so worthwhile an experience. It is also shows that a place in the quarter-finals was a good effort by Chi. This defeat was genuinely one to learn from and I honestly think Chi will be the better for it; it'll help show us what we need to do to get us to the next level as a team. Well done Loxwood, but congratulations too to Chi who showed a great team bond to take the goals on the chin and to keep fighting and striving. Re-group at training on Friday then next Sunday we tackle the league, heads high.

Chi: Thorn, Brennan, Leonard, Robinson, Fellick, Gallop, Daley, Bennetts (c), Martin, Furlonge-Walker, Price, Good, Gambrill.

Man of the Match: Furlonge-Walker