Match Report: Loughborough Foxes 0-1 Chichester City Ladies (30.09.18)

Jade Widdow leaps for a header

One goal was all Chichester City needed to take home all three points with a win over Loughborough Foxes in the Women’s National League Southern Premier.

Chichester returned to league action following the defeat the Coventry United two weeks previously and the postponement of the Cardiff City match looking to put things right.

Molly Clark struck the crossbar within minutes of the start of the match and Jade Widdows saw her header blocked by Amy Burle for the Foxes.

Cherelle Khassal forced a great save from Burle before Lauren Dolbear was called into action as Loughborough counted the keeper at full stretch to protecting her bottom corner.

Jade Widdow puts on a cross as the Loughborough player goes in to block it.

Photo: Sheena Booker

Save of game went to Burle who was caught off her line by Simmonds who lofted a shot from 30-yards out towards goal, the keeper raced back with her eyes on the ball and managed to block the ball on the line denying the opener.

Dolbear was called into action again this time blocking with her legs before the captain Lauren Cheshire made a crucial challenge that saw Chi go on the counter.

M.Clark was the driving force of the counter and picked out Khassal just inside the box who controlled the ball to strike on the half volley that found a Loughborough defender in her way.

It was a stalemate at half-time with both teams pushing the other and trying to gain control of the match, Simmonds’ effort still the closest to a goal.

Widdows with a great cross into the box Burle stretched to claim but she spilled the ball and M.Clark pounced on it at the back post beating the defender to put Chi deservedly ahead.

Molly Clark celebrates her goal with Jade Widdows

Photo: Sheena Booker

Foxes’ Katie McLoughlin had a bullet of a strike half way through the second half, which Dolbear tipped finely around the post to deny the equaliser. Laura Steele’s resulting corner was headed over the bar from Jodie Bartle.

Foxes’ wing back Ria Acton had an action-packed afternoon and had two opportunities of her own to open the scoring for the hosts but brought out two decent stops from Dolbear.

The side netting was rustling after a M.Clark free-kick and Tash Stephens missed a great chance with a free header from Widdows perfectly weighted cross.

It wasn’t all Chi as the Foxes looked for a way in and McLoughlin smashed the ball aiming for the top corner but Dolbear got a strong hand on it sending it out for a corner.

Substitute Sara Tubby timed a run well to meet a cross in front of goal, she took a touch before curling wide.

Loughborough pushed for something but found a strong defence in their way, Tammy Waine and Tiffany Taylor in the middle holding firm with Dolbear comfortably claiming a long-range effort as the game entered stoppage time.

Chichester managed the game to the final whistle which also saw M.Clark look for a second goal from a free-kick however, it didn’t cause Burle too many issues.

Chichester City: Lauren Dolbear, Lauren Cheshire, Laura Ingram (Lucie Challen 64’), Tammy Waine, Tiffany Taylor, Rebecca Barron, Molly Clark, Gemma Simmonds (Lauren Clark 78’), Tash Stephens (Sara Tubby 64’), Cherelle Khassal, Jade Widdows

Loughborough Foxes: Amy Burle, Jodie Bartle, Katie McLoughlin, Victoria Brackenbury, Ria Acton, Harriet Simes (Eva Rogers 70), Chloe Young (Becky McGrother 80), Shauna Chambers (Millie Chandarana 63), Laura Steele, Katie Lowder, Charlotte Cooper

Chichester's Tash Stephens holds off the Loughborough player

Photo: Sheena Booker

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