Sat 15th Aug: Anvils lose out 1-3 to Chichester City in FA Cup

The Anvils went a goal up after 14 mins through a Ben Brooker pen against Chicester City in the Emirates FACup and were the dominant side in the 1st period. But a goal either side of the HT break put Chi 2-1 up and the Anvils were always chasing the game after that. A good performance against higher league opposition.

Next up Seaford Town away in the league on Sat 22nd August 3pm K/O

Two goals in a 5 minute spell either side of halftime settled any further Anvil interest in this years Cup Competition, all this happening after the Anvils had snatched an early after just 15 minutes.

Anvils dominated the first quarter hour and were rewarded on 15 when Josh Alcock was upended by the onrushing Chi keeper Austin Holden in the box, penalty, which was duly converted by striker Ben Brooker to give the Anvils the lead. 1-0 Anvils.

Chi suitably stirred replied with their first real attack, with a Ruben French freekick being headed over by Jimmy Wild, who repeated the action this time from a French corner.

Anvils should really have increased their lead on the half hour with Josh Alcock planting a Brooker cross past the far post, on 36 Brooker himself seizing on a knock down then blazed over, and to cap a rather wasted spell James Day then headed a Harry Lowe corner wide of goal, thus ended a 10 minute spell that could have put the homesters out of sight.

After those near misses the Chi settled down and gradually started to get on top, with next Michael Frangou firing a shot across the face, the equaliser just had to come, and virtually the last kick of the half the tall Wild finally drilled the ball home after previous shots had struck the bar, upright and only half cleared, even on added time Wild then setup Frangou whose shot was pushed away by keeper Andy Greaves to end the half at one goal a piece. HT 1-1

For the second half Chi announced their intentions early with another French corner finding flankman Kieran Hartley in space to notch Chi's second goal of the match. 1-2 Chichester City.

It was becoming rather ominous for the Anvils as the Chi turned the screw and the Anvils losing the zip they had earlier and more pressure being put onto the back four who had performed miracles in keeping the powerful Chi attackers at bay, whilst in midfield Mike Spence was working hard to drive forward whenever possible.

On the hour mark substitutions on both sides were the order of the day, as the Anvils fought to get back into the match, with tiredness setting in bookings started to accumulate, but come 72 and a Lowe corner was headed wide by Sam Cane, but that was about it as the Chi continued to press forward and on 82 a freekick found Wild in space who turned quickly to rifle home number three, the same player nearly had his hat trick when flicking a French cross just wide on 90, as the game finally came to its conclusion. FT 1-3 Chichester City.

Team: Andy Greaves, Blair Cooney, James Lovett, Mike Spence, Steve Dixon, James Day, Dave Houlders, Josh Alcock (Sam Cane), Ben Brooker, Oli Leslie (Adam Hutchings), Harry Lowe (Lee Thomas)

MOM: Mike Spence. Attn: 53