West Sussex League

Division 2 South

Saturday 2nd September 2023

Kick Off 15.00 Actual 15.04

Wittering United 7 Fittleworth 1, attendance 16

14’ 1-0, 21’ 2-0, 36’ 3-0 (pen), 46’ 4-0, 56’ 5-0, 63’ 6-0 (pen), 69’ 7-0,

85’ 7-1

@ Sherborne Road

Chichester

PO19 3AD

No Admission or Programme.

A function at their normal Bracklesham Barn ground meant this game was switched to Sherborne Road in Chichester. It suited me perfectly, as I continue my quest to see a game on every first team home venue in Sussex. I hadn’t managed to get here when Ambassadors played here last season, before upping sticks and moving to Boxgrove Village Hall, where ironically I saw them play their first game, not knowing at the time that it was to become their permanent base.

Sherborne Road is nothing more than a pitch with a changing room block, but being surrounded by houses and shops on three sides and a children’s play area behind one goal, gives it a bit more of an enclosed feel. Typically, for a council pitch, it was in poor condition, with the penalty spots gouged out and could have really done with a cut.

This was the first league game of the season, as 6th hosted 4th as far as last season’s finishing positions went. It started off quite even, despite Wittering taking an early 2-0 lead. The game was over as a contest when the hosts went 3-0 up from the penalty spot after thirty six minutes, the Fittleworth ‘keeper being red carded for dissent after conceding the kick. With a player short, and an outfield player taking over in goal, it was a case of just how many more the visitors would concede. In the end, it was just the four, including another penalty. Goal of the game was number five for Wittering, intercepting a pass before lashing the ball in from 25 yards. At least Fittleworth managed to get the last goal of the day, having not given up and continuing to battle right to the end.

With the game having kicked off four minutes late, plus having a water break in both halves, as well as a ridiculous amount of added time in the second half, this one didn’t finish until seven minutes past five!