As the last campaign drew to a close, the bookmakers where making these two sides favourites to contest this season's title. Unforeseen happenings in both camps during the close season (and an indifferent start for both teams) have seen their odds drift, but it would be a foolish person who's dismissed either of their chances after seeing this

Peacehaven started with an unchanged team from the midweek win over Hailsham, and took time to adapt to the unpredictable surface. After 15 minutes they created the first chance of the game when Adam Kneller pushed forward and his cross found Scott Marshall who's header went narrowly wide.

Chances were few and far between for either side in the first half, but Chichester's main threat was always the pace of Callum Cutler on the right wing. Matt Hill did well to shackle him for the opening 40 minutes, but it was then that Cutler finally managed to outpace the Peacehaven left-back. The resulting cross found George Way, who's header thumped against the crossbar and way to safety.

Within a minute it was the visitors turn to hit the woodwork. Rob O'Toole cut in from the left wing, and his looping cross (shot??) looked to be going safely over the bar. It dipped viciously though, and Savage in the Chichester goal did well to tip the ball onto the bar.

The final, and perhaps best chance of the half, fell to Nathan Paxton for Chichester on 44 minutes. Chasing a through ball to the edge of the area, he managed to push the ball past the oncoming Heyburn, but the angle created proved too much, and his shot scraped past the post.

There was drama at half-time when the referee (Barrie Small) had to be substituted after being struck in the face by  the ball earlier in the game. He was replaced by his Senior Linesman Chris Bridges.

For the opening 15 minutes of the second half Chichester began to impose themselves on the game. They nearly broke the deadlock when George Way's cross was met by Joe Briggs who's shot went narrowly wide of the target. Then a thumping goal-bound free kick from Sean Thurgood was superbly saved by Josh Heyburn. You sensed a goal was coming for the home side, but Peacehaven weathered the storm, and it was soon them who were creating the chances.

On the hour Adam Kneller ran onto a loose ball outside the box, and hammered in a low drive which Savage did well to keep out, and shortly after Ashley Rees beat the offside trap only to see his effort saved by the Chichester keeper.

The breakthrough finally came on 72 minutes when Rob O'Toole picked out Ashley Rees (above) near the penalty spot. His initial shot was parried by Savage, but he followed up to put the ball over the grounded keeper and firmly in the back of the net.

There were few, if any chances for either side after the goal, but Peacehaven were made to wait for their victory as a series of stopages meant the referee had to add 14 minutes injury time to the second half. When the final whistle finally blew, a relieved Peter Edwards said he was delighted with the performance. "Sometimes you have to dig deep to carve out a result. Today was one of those times and everyone gave 100%"

The win stretches Peacehaven's run to 4 unbeaten in the League, and lifts them into 11th place.

HT 0-0  Scorer:- Peacehaven:- Rees 72