Chi came into the game unbeaten in their last three matches but were missing skipper Rob Hutchings who started his three-game suspension having been dismissed in that 3-2 win away at Canvey Island last weekend; Emmett Dunn was also absent from the starting XI for a suspension; as well as Billie Clark who moved on to Bognor.

The opening half finished goalless but there were chances at either end.

Ben Pashley, excellent against Horsham in the midweek 1-1 draw at home, played the ball forward in the opening minute and Ethan Prichard won a throw and then a corner which he took.

Neat play from Jimmy Wild set up Prichard for another opportunity moments later but he didn’t hit it first time.

The visitors then got flagged offside twice and Ryan Davidson was impeded.

Finlay Chadwick, filling in for Hutchings at left back, earned a throw-in after combining with Isaac Bello, and Joe Moore got a header off after Chadwick crossed and Prichard struck one high and wide.

Moore was well in on Harrison Day when Pashley slipped up and Wild steered an effort wide at the far post after Davidson crossed.

A long Bello throw got cleared 13 minutes in and Pashley also turned the ball away for a long-range attempt.

Thomas Anderson received a booking next and Chadwick delivered the resulting free kick before Bello fizzed an effort over and 60 seconds or so later also fired two shots off target.

Pashley had a cross from the left to defend on 18 and Magee turned Day’s shot out for a corner after a delivery from the left-hand side.

Moore diverted this away though and Chi won one of their own when Bello did Jermaine Anderson.

A strong hand from Magee denied Hashtag in their next attack and the City custodian saved easily enough as Sakariya Hassan had a go.

A cross from man of the match Joshua Rusoke caused few problems too and Hassan hit one way off target.

On the half hour mark Moore conceded a corner up against Aromolaran that Rusoke delivered and Magee got fouled.

Prichard won a forward header but Wild was caught offside.

The visitors earned another corner off Chadwick this time which Rusoke took and Magee was fouled once again.

Chadwick did well to snuff out the danger posed by Aromolaran and Pashley and Moore got away with a mix up.

Bello looked to be impeded but referee Robert Harrison overlooked this and a poor Magee clearance nearly caused trouble but he saved easily enough when Hassan had a shot.

Bello had a weak effort five minutes before half time and Pashley recovered to clear as the Tags pressed again.

Day did Lloyd Rowlatt on 42 and Hassan struck one wide but his impressive cross moments later should have resulted in an Aromolaran goal.

Next, Day headed wide and Rusoke also fired off target and then in time added on Bello and Wild hooked up but the move came to nothing in the end.

Misha Djemaili replaced Max Cornhill at the break and put the away side 1-0 up on 48 after Rusoke delivered a set piece.

The hosts then won a couple of corners on either side that Prichard took.

It looked like Wild had equalised for the Sussex side after a goal-mouth scramble but not according to Mr Harrison before Chadwick blazed one against the woodwork.

Chi penalty appeals were dismissed moments later when Rowlatt and Wild combined.

Aromolaran and Day exchanged passes and Da Costa steered the ball out for a corner which Rusoke took and Pashley headed away.

Hashtag doubled their lead through Hassan on 62 minutes before Aromolaran hit two shots wide.

It wasn’t 2-0 for long as Smith increased the margin from close range after Rusoke delivered from the right.

Mo Jammeh and Olly Munt replaced Prichard and Rowlatt before Magee claimed Hassan’s cross.

Anderson and keeper Jack Giddens cleared things up and good work from Moore set Wild up for a shot on the turn.

Wild then combined for a Chadwick cross that found no one and the Tags spurned another chance at the other end.

Jamie Horncastle, in his first Chi game for some time, came on for Joe Clarke in the 75^th minute and a pass from Djemaili to Hassan got cut out.

Good body strength from Acomolaran got him in on 78 after nice stuff from Day and he made it 4-0.

Day then tried his luck with an effort from some distance and Pashley tidied up as Djemaili and Aromolaran threatened.

Giddens denied Wild for a corner which Munt took and Chadwick delivered one over the bar from the other side.

Day wasn’t far off getting in and Moore had a go saved as we headed towards four minutes of time added on.

Chi welcome National League South Worthing to Oaklands Park next on Saturday 16^th November (Kick Off 3pm) in the second round of the FA Trophy.

Chichester – Magee, Davidson, Chadwick, Moore, Da Costa, Pashley, Bello, Clarke, Wild, Rowlatt, Prichard. (Munt, Horncastle, Jammeh, Muvuti)