Season needn't be topsy-Turvey now for Chichester City

Michael Turvey’s double either side of Rowan Wallis’ strike, plus a late Ben Vassallo goal, cancelled out a double by Oliver Lee for the home side.

Adie Girdler’s side are now unbeaten in five league games, having tasted defeat most recently against Peacehaven on September 4. That’s a pleasing statistic for Girdler, who said the good run had led to a new buzz around Oaklands Way.

He told the Observer: “We showed great character to come back from 2-1 down at half-time, and we’ve done that three times now since I’ve been in charge.

“It’s a really happy dressing room. The lads are really buoyant and bubbly and enjoying their football.

“That’s going all around the club. We’re all training together, everyone’s enjoying each other’s company and there’s a great buzz about the place at the moment.”

Despite an imperfect start against the bottom side at The Oval, the four goals scored by Chichester brings their total to 28 in the league this season – the fourth best scoring record – and Girdler is confident there’s more to come.

“We’d have accepted four goals away from home before the start of the game, that’s for sure. We conceded some sloppy goals but the rough surface and windy conditions didn’t suit us.

“Turves (Michael Turvey) is a big player for the club at this moment, a really good player who’s only going to get better with each game. We’ve got him from Gosport and he’s a breath of fresh air for the football club.”

There was also individual praise for Callum Cutler, who was forced off with an injury on 75 minutes, and defensive pair Wallis and Tom Broadbent, the latter being named man of the match.

The win sees Chichester up to seventh in the table, with 24 points from 13 games, and Girdler is only looking up.

He said: “When we took over the club were tenth so anything above that is a bonus – we want to finish top of the local sides, so we want to overhaul Pagham.

“They’re third at the moment so let’s see where we go – we’ve got the quality there but we have to keep them free of injury.”

That didn’t happen on Saturday, with Cutler ruled out for Saturday’s trip to Glovers Lane to face Sidley, Chichester will also be without Adrian Brockway while Wallis is doubtful, both through knee problems.

MARK ALLAWAY