First Team
Isthmian League South East Sat 17 August Southwood Stadium
Ramsgate
  • Gray (8')
1
Chichester City
  • Axell (64', 90')
2
1-2

Chi were behind inside the first ten minutes but rallied in the second half and two goals from Matt Axell, the second an injury time penalty, gave Cody and his teammates an impressive away victory and the perfect start to life in the Isthmian League.

“I don’t think anyone expected us to go there and get the three points – it was a great result”.

“We probably would have been satisfied with a point but midway through the second half we had the belief we could go on and win it”.

The Rams came flying out the traps in the first half and Cody thought his side were a bit fortunate not to be further behind at the break:

“I think we might have been a bit naive early on, switching off at set plays and quick throw-ins and the goal we gave away was sloppy”.

“They had a couple of other chances after that so maybe we were a bit lucky to only be a goal down but we had a good ten minute spell before half time that gave us a bit of belief to take into the second half”.

Following a positive start to the second period City were rewarded with 25 minutes to go when Axell struck the equiliser.

“I had a great view of the goal having moved in the centre after Peaky went off so I was right behind it, he used their defender and curled it round him into the bottom corner – nice to see the old man’s still got it!”

It was end-to-end following Axell’s strike but as the game wore on it was Chi that were looking the more likely to grab a winner, and so it proved.

With the game heading into stoppage time Lloyd Roylatt released substitute Kaleem Haitham who was upended by Ram’s ‘keeper Will Godman.

“Kaleem is so quick on his feet, it was great to be able to bring someone like him on to affect the game, I don’t think anyone else on our team would have made that run”.

“It had been coming though, Lloyd had been getting a lot of the ball in the pocket and thankfully he came up with a great pass which obviously led to the winning goal”.

Cody believe’s there’s a great atmosphere in the camp at the moment and thinks the summer signings have slotted straight in.

“The minibus home was good! We had a great group of lads last year but I think we’ve only added to that with the players we’ve bought in who are not only top players but the right characters as well”.

Connor Cody speaking to Neil Holmes.