Arundel FC

Arundel went down to their third defeat in a row as high flying Chichester took advantage of the Mullets frail confidence hitting four goals and this game had all the ingredients that summed up the teams fortunes of late.

The  Mullets started the game well enough shooting into a strong wind in the first half and nearly took the lead through a Matt Huckett free kick which flew just wide of the post with the Chi keeper stranded.

The home side were also creating chances and should have taken the lead when Ben Vasallo was put through on goal and with Ben O’Connor rushing off his line to close the angle, Vasallo’s attempt at lob ended up bouncing harmlessly wide.

It was once again sloppy defending that cost the reds late in the first half and within a blink of an eye they found themselves 2 goals down in a matter of minutes.

Firsly a harmless ball into the box wasn’t dealt with well by Tom Pickford, who’s clearance only acted as a lay off to Callum Cutler on the edge of the box who’s driven shot took a wicked deflection into the top corner leaving O’Connor with no chance.

Just minutes later it was 2, this time the goal coming from the penalty spot after James Temple was hauled down by O’Connor as he attempted to round him and the Arundel stopper was booked for the challenge.

Barry McCoy stepped up and cooley sent O’Connor the wrong way from 12 yards to put the home side firmly in control.

The two goal advantage only lasted a couple of minutes though as the Mullets were awarded a penalty of there own.  Russ Hardwell sent in a dangerous free kick from the right and Rob Grove was blatantly pulled down as he attempted to get on the end of it and although Scott Tipper did bundle the ball over the line referee Daniel Austin had already given the spot kick.

Tipper stepped up and did get his goal placing the ball down the center on the goal to bring the Mullets back in the game going into half time.

It was the hosts however who started the second period on the front foot and extended their lead on the hour mark.  A good run down the channel by Temple found him at the byline.  His cut back was missed first by Paul Grantham attempting to clear and then Vasallo’s attempt to score before James Ford arrived at the back post to tap home.

The Mullets then had two golden opportunities to get themselves back in the game but failed to take either.  First it was Matt Huckett who pounced on a loose ball in the box but couldn’t keep the ball down and blazed over from 6 yards.

Minutes later a great cross by Hardwell found Tipper free at the far post but his powerful downward header again from 6 yards out flashed wide of the post and they were made to play with just under 20 minutes left when the hosts wrapped the game up with the simplest of forth goals.

James Temple was the scorer who pealed off the near post from a corner unchallenged to send a looping header over  O’Connor and into the net to complete the visitors misery.

They had chances to increase the lead further in the remaining minutes and there was still time for the Mullets to miss another great chance, Dave Walker heading over from close range after he was found by a Matt Axell free kick.

Team: O’Connor; Pickford, Walker, Grantham, Axell; Hardwell, Grove (Jones), Biggs(J)(capt) (Boem), Neighbour; Tipper, Huckett (Herbert).