Chichester are Western top dogs

Joe Budgen (left), Josh Brown (twice) and Oli Baxter, right, were on target for Chichester.

Chichester are in nosebleed territory and top of England Hockey’s Western Conference after coming from behind to beat Fareham 4-2, two of their goals coming in the final quarter.
It was Chichester’s third successive win and with eight matches played, they lead Havant by one point at the top.   Havant beat overnight leaders Isca 4-1 in Exeter. 
Yet things did not begin well for Chichester with George Davey firing Fareham ahead inside the first minute and Dylan Coleman clipping the crossbar during a frenzied period of visiting pressure.
Chichester gradually got a foothold in the game with the tall and influential Josh Brown equalizing before Joe Bugden made it 2-1 with a spectacular overhead stick shot.
Chichester’s lead didn’t last long with Fergus Jackson equalizing for Fareham from a penalty stroke awarded after a goal-bound shot struck a foot on the line.
But Chichester weren’t to be denied.  As the rain lashed down on the climax of a fast and entertaining derby. Brown converted a penalty corner to make it 3-2 before a mistake at the back allowed Oli Baxter to grabb a fourth.