CHICHESTER CITY 1-6 REDHILL
Saturday 17th December 2011
Sussex County League Division One
Redhill Team
1. Chris May
2. Niall Egan (Sub 2)
3. Dapo Kayode
4. Luke Hackett
5. Charlie Farmer
6. Scott Harris (1 Goals)
7. John Westcott
8. John Difford (1 Goal) (Sub 3)
9. Andy Atkin (c) (Sub 1)
10. Gavin Gordon (3 Goals)
11. Kaiyne Woolery (1 Goal)
12. Dean Ruddy
14. Mark Parks (Sub 3)
15. Eddie Koboah (Sub 1)
16. Jeffrey Addo-Dankwa (Sub 2)
17. Simon Colbran
Following last week’s demolition of high flyers Lancing, Redhill’s trip to Chichester City’s Oaklands Parkand was eagerly awaited by the loyal
band of supporters who had travelled down to experience some early season Christmas cheer - they were not disappointed. Manager Simon Colbran
continued his recent policy of drafting in more youngsters into his squad and they certainly didn’t disappoint with Mark Parks and Jeoffrey
Addo-Dankwa both coming off the bench to join Kaiyne Woolery. Colbran also welcomed the return of top scorer Andy Atkin along with Eddie Koboa, and
with Charlie Farmer and Luke Hackett forming an excellent central defensive partnership the experienced Jon Difford was moved into a midfield role
which saw the Redhill talisman not only score but also dominate the midfield space so often surrendered in previous matches.
Every single player contributed to an excellent performance that saw Redhill come up against a lively City team who are currently bottom of the
Sussex County League and who appear to rely on a defensive wall that relies on the weapon of off side to deter the opposition.
On a sticky pitch the Reds opened brightly enough but were immediately up against an off side wall which caught them out on virtually every attack
with only the industrious John Westcott managing to penetrate and deliver crosses that were causing the City defence problems real problems. They
didn’t have it all their own way though and when City finally put their act together on 10 minutes the Redhill defence came under considerable
pressure which ended in Marsh blasting over a gaping goal from six yards out.
Redhill finally broke the City defensive wall when a superb Westcott cross was firmly headed home by Gavin Gordon on 16 minutes. Virtually
straight from the restart Dapo Kayode found a gap in the City defence and after skipping past three defenders he unleashed a fine shot that fizzed
past the far post. Continued Redhill pressure was always going to cause City further problems and the Reds fans didn’t have to wait long for John
Difford to head home a splendid Scott Harris free kick.
City weren’t about to give in to the Redhill onslaught and they attacked at every opportunity with Chris May being forced into a fantastic save
when he tipped over a tremendous snap shot from City’s James on 29 minutes. May was again called into action when Redhill’s defence failed to
clear a cross from the right which was collected at the second attempt to save the visitors blushes. The remainder of the half saw the visitors
pressing for a third goal which eluded them despite going close on a number of occasions. Andy Atkin was particularly unlucky as he caused the
City defenders so many problems but the ball would not fall conveniently for him.
The second half began in a similar mood to the first with the visitors battering the City defensive wall but not gaining any reward until the 54th
minute when Gordon was pulled down in the box, the burley striker took the penalty himself and lashed the ball home for goal number three.
Andy Atkin was instrumental in creating Redhill’s fourth goal when he looked up and laid the perfect pass for Gordon to drive home to complete his
treble. Atkins was then substituted by Eddie Kaboah and further substitutions came with Jeoffrey Addo-Dankwa coming on for the excellent Niall Egan
and young Mark Parks replacing Jon Difford.
Redhill were playing some wonderful football now and it was clear that the game had more goals in it but fans from both sides had not expected any
of them to come from Chichester but so it was as Briggs let fly from thirty yards on 67 minutes and with May just too far off his flew over his
hand outstretched hand under the bar for a superb goal.
The Reds 'keeper was then the star turn in an ‘on the field Xmas Panto’ when he was forced to rush out in attempt to clear a Chichester through ball,
the keeper used his feet only to see the ball strike the attacker with a ferocious spin that sent it speeding towards the Redhill net much to the
amusement of the home fans. May just managed to redeem the situation before the ball reached the line and the visiting bench drew a huge sigh of
relief.
On 70 minutes Kaboah was rather harshly booked for diving when it looked as though he had been tackled from behind but all that was forgotten when
he combined with Scott Harris before the latter rammed home Redhill fifth in the 76th minute.
The hard working Kaiyne Woolery finally got his scoring opportunity in the 80th minute when he cleverly took his chance to strike home the
visitors goal number six. This Redhill performance was welcomed by the travelling supporters who have remained faithful during the recent ups and
downs and it is clear that manager Colbran has not given up on a top three finish as he bloods his youngsters in preparation for what may prove to
be a pivotal season for the Reds in 2012/13.
|