New Milton Town’s goals all came in the first half. On 17 minutes, the visitors opened the scoring and they scored their second 12 minutes later. The away side then made it 3-0 six minutes before half-time. Charlotte Long scored Chichester’s only goal on 61 minutes.

It was the home side who had the first opportunity of the game. Katie Bundy jumped on a mistake by the defender, but she sent her effort wide of the target.

A shot from the edge of the Chichester area took a deflection and Chloe Simmonds reacted well and gathered it comfortably.

However, not long after, the visiting side made it 1-0. A pass was played through the Chi defence and the attacker was able to strike a powerful effort beyond Simmonds.

Lisbeth Mottashed made a key interception in the 18-yard box to prevent the striker from getting a shot away from close range.

Chichester had a great chance to equalise on 24 minutes. Mikki Collins played a defence-splitting pass to Molly Jones, and she then squared it to Bundy who was denied by a brilliant save.

Five minutes later, the away side made it 2-0. The New Milton Town striker latched on to a long pass over the Chi defence and found the far corner.

Jones looked to try and lob the goalkeeper but couldn’t get enough height on her attempt.

On 39 minutes, New Milton Town scored their third. The attacker weaved her way through the defence and squared it to her teammate who finished it well.

Chichester had one more chance before the half-time whistle as Gaby Hobday’s shot went wide of the goal after some good build-up play.

The second half started with very few chances for either side. Eloise Williams’ free-kick from long-range caused the goalkeeper to quickly backpedal, but it landed on the roof of the net.

Just after the hour mark, Long pulled a goal back for Chichester. Maya Butler’s shot hit the post, but Chi kept up the pressure. The ball eventually came to Long who sent a looping effort over the ‘keeper into the net.

Simmonds had to be alert to a long free-kick and she did well tip the ball behind.

With 10 minutes of the 90 remaining, the away side had a chance as the striker got past Simmonds but was forced wide. The Chichester defence then recovered well to clear it away from danger.

Hobday had the ball in the net for Chichester, but the flag was raised for offside against the No.11.

The defeat means Chichester City Women drop to fourth and next up is an away match at Bournemouth Sports for Chi’s final league game of the season on Sunday 3rd April.

Chichester City: Simmonds, Mottashed, Collins, Robertson, Williams, Jones, Gardner, Hobday, Boxall, Bundy, C.Long

Substitutes: Andrade-Paris, K.Long, C.Bond, M.Bond, Butler

Goal: C.Long 61