First Team
Isthmian League South East Tue 20 August Oaklands Park
Chichester City
  • Goal (1')
  • Jones (41')
2
Whyteleafe
  • Sobowale (22', 57')
  • OG (89')
3
2-3

City lead the game twice but succumbed to second half pressure from the away side with Ben Pashley’s 89th minute own goal eventually inflicting a first defeat of the season on Rutherford’s men.

The Chi boss was quick to praise his team’s effort and commitment but has warned them they must learn from their mistakes, “We got what we asked out of the boys tonight in the way of effort and commitment, I couldn’t fault them for that”. “We worked hard but came up against a very fit and physical opponent”.

Rutherford felt his side’s consistent conceding of free-kicks in their own half led to their downfall, “I’ve told the lads though we have to learn from tonight, we must have given away about 20 free-kicks in dangerous areas and all three of their goals came from set pieces”.

“We’re still learning at this level but it’s those finer details that make all the difference the higher you go”.

Two games into the Isthmian League South East Division season Chi have proved they’ll be able to hold their own at the level and Rutherford is satisfied with the start,  “I think if someone had said after two games we’d have 3 points I’d have taken it – would we have liked to have had 4 having come so close to getting a draw tonight? Yes, but that’s football”.

Next up for Rutherford’s men is a break from league action as they travel to Bridon Ropes in the Emirates FA Cup,  “The FA Cup is a big opportunity for the players to put this defeat behind them, it’s a massive game for the club so we need to be prepared”.