USW men’s football 1st 0-3 University of Chichester

By Max Drinkwater-James

USW remain rooted to the bottom of the BUCS Premier League South after failing to win for a fourth successive time this season.

Visitors Chichester were rampant at the Sports Park with a first-half double from Ria Dos Santos and a composed finish in the second half from Ed Miloy sinking their hosts.

The game started bright for both teams with a flurry of chances at both ends.

A Dos Santos header from inside the six-yard box was dealt with by USW goalkeeper Sven Marnot before USW’s Kyle Capner forced Chichester’s Jos Barker into a diving stop.

Chichester opened the scoring in the 27^th minute with Dos Santos picking the ball up on the halfway and accelerating forward with blistering pace.

Some fine footwork and a composed finish into the bottom corner gave Chichester a well-deserved lead.

While rain lashed down late in the second half it didn’t dampen Chichester’s and Dos Santos’ afternoon.

A clever ball into the box in the 41^st minute followed by a great first touch by Dos Santos and an audacious chip in the six-yard box over Marnot gave the visitors a healthy 2-0 lead at half time.

Chichester carried on their excellent start with a great free-kick from Brad Johnson gliding over the wall and smashing against the USW crossbar.

The game was wrapped up for the visitors in the 66^th minute after a cool finish from Ed Miloy. The forward brought the ball down elegantly before slotting the ball past Marnot from six yards. 

USW came close to a consolation goal late on with a 90^th minute charge forward from Laurent Ngunjoh on the counter-attack.

But a poor touch saw him lose control and the chance was lost.

There were some fiery post-match scenes but USW would have much preferred to answer Chichester on the pitch.