There were just the two changes to the Chi XI that lined up in the 9-3 drubbing of Brockenhurst last time out with Jamie Horncastle and Adam Biss given starts for the first time since recovering from injury.

And the pre-match peri-peri chips were something else.

Honore’s raking pass sent Isaac Bello away down the right early doors and Biss had a go with a header from Olly Munt’s resulting corner.

And at the other end Horncastle headed out a Rovers cross for a corner that was played too deep.

Joe Moore then linked up with Munt and Prichard for an effort the hosts managed to deal with.

A neat Moore turn on six minutes and some deft skill from Prichard got the visitors going again before Casey Bartlett-Scott broke for Baffins and whipped over an inviting delivery which a teammate headed off target for a goal kick.

The home side, who face Brockenhurst in the Wessex Premier League opener, flashed a shot wide and next Moore found Bello with a super pass but the right back’s first touch let him down.

Chi keeper Kieran Magee was then guilty of a stray pass which presented Bartlett-Scott with a glorious opportunity only for Biss to make a tremendous block.

Prichard was tripped but the referee waved away Chi appeals for what appeared to be a stonewall penalty on 19 minutes – another shout for a foul on Hutchings would be ignored too.

Prichard brushed the woodwork with a cross-cum-shot moments later after good work from Munt before Kyle O’Brien carved the hosts’ midfield open following a lovely run and Hutchings was given an age to pick his spot with a delightful left-footed effort that he caressed beyond Luke Deacon for his fifth goal in two games.

Magee was on hand to deny Kelvin Robinson’s header as Rovers sought to respond immediately and then O’Brien wasn’t far off from doubling City’s lead.

A decent run and pass from Moore to Prichard created another chance which Deacon somehow palmed round the post and Magee was forced into a smart save of his own that was hacked away by a defender.

Moore and Prichard were at it once again only for a Baffins player to clear off the line on the half hour mark.

Bello fouled a marauding Robinson, and after a Chi set-piece which came to nothing Munt was replaced by Kaleem Haitham.

Bello’s attempt was blocked after a slick exchange between Prichard and Hutchings and Ben Pashley’s long-ranger fizzed narrowly wide.

On the stroke of half-time Prichard jinked past former Chi player Dan Wood and tried to lift the ball over Deacon but it landed on the roof of the net.

Joe Clarke slotted into the heart of defence instead of Horncastle at the break and a lovely backheel by Hutchings teed Moore up for an effort that nicked off a Baffins defender.

The prodigious Prichard then made it 2-0 with a tremendous 30-yarder four minutes after the restart.

Hutchings headed a cross from the right wide and Haitham cut inside following a probing run and earned Chi a corner when his drive was deflected.

Clarke got in bravely moments later before he was impeded by a Baffins sub.

Ollie Barry replaced Biss on 63 and a couple of minutes later Hutchings put Chichester 3-0 up with Moore instrumental in the goal.

O’Brien then picked Barry down the left flank who flashed over an inviting cross.

Magee made a telling stop as the home side threatened and dealt with Charlie Oakwell-Boulton’s downwards header from a cross.

The ref awarded the hosts a penalty for Moore’s firm, but debatably, fair challenge in the area with 20 to go which was converted to give Baffins a life-line.

Chandler drove into the box only for Bello to clear his lines and Prichard’s dipping shot wasn’t far away in the last 15.

Theo Bennetts came on for Hutchings and after good approach play and a ricket from Deacon, Honore seemingly got the final touch to restore Chi’s three-goal advantage.

It might have been 5-1 when Haitham got in, but he couldn’t score, and then Magee made two world class saves right at the death.

Chichester face Bognor at their place on Saturday 29^th July (Kick Off 2pm).

Chichester – Magee, Bello, O’Brien, Moore, Horncastle, Pashley, Munt, Biss, Honore, Hutchings, Prichard. Subs – (Clarke, Barry, Bennetts, Haitham)