Slow start costs Chichester dear at Haywards Heath

It took only ten minutes for Haywards Heath to take the lead. Lauren Ellis was working hard up front, but Chichester were struggling.

The second half started well for Chichester. Kim Smith came off the bench to good effect and woman of the match Jemma Cottam-Verbruggen used her passing skills well.

Haywards Heath broke and although Vicki Bernard in goal saved her first shot, the follow-up went in.

Bernard made another great save but the rebound made it 3-0 with 20 minutes left.

Chichester played their best football after that and started to cause problems for Haywards Heath with captain Becky Steed having a long-range effort saved.

Chichester got a consolation late on when full-back Laura Wright burst on to a poor back pass and smashed the ball into the top corner – with a celebration to match the goal.

Chichester are at home in the cup on Sunday at Florence Road (1.30pm).

CHICHESTER: Bernard, Wright, Steed, Harnett, Dowle, Grant, Spencer, Cottam-Verbruggen, Sherwood, Ogden, Ellis, Subs: Smith, Cole.

UNDER-16

Crawley 6 Felpham Tigers 1

Buoyed by two good performances, Felpham travelled to Crawley in good heart and a brilliant ball from Rachel Haddock found the prolific Amy Bailey, who raced away to slot home in the first five minutes.

But Felpham sat back and invited the home team to take the initiative and were indebted to fine keeping from Remi Crawley to keep Crawley at bay.

Eventually the pressure told and Crawley equalised.

Just before half-time Felpham nearly snatched the lead with a superb header from Eloise Paine which hit the post.

The second half saw Crawley pile on the pressure and a lethargic Felpham performance saw them concede five second-half goals to suffer their worst defeat of the season.

FELPHAM: Crawley, Luff, Merriman, Holmes, Paine, C Johnson, E Johnson, Bailey, Haddock, Kitchen, Martin. Sub: Spencer.