The first fixture of the 2024-25 season came for me at Oaklands Park, Chichester, where Chichester City, newly promoted into the Isthmian Premier Division, faced Pagham FC of the Southern Combination Football League Premier Division.

Chichester’s Oaklands Park was opened in 2008, with the club moving from their Church Road ground. The ground boasts a 100 seater stand and covered standing areas. There is a modern two storey clubhouse, including changing rooms as well as a refreshment stand. The ground is really a good setting in which to watch football and despite the heavy rain I found cover and seating easily from which to watch in comfort.

Pagham chose to give a squad debut to 16 year old Isaac Glanfield in tonight’s friendly. The Bognor Regis based side, came into the game looking to test themselves with a fixture against a team ranked two leagues higher than them.

The game started promptly at 7.30 pm in declining weather. The sides looked evenly matched, with Pagham creating most of the early opportunities.

In the 34rd minute a neat pass put, Pagham FC’s, Jamie Carroll clean through and he beat the keeper with ease, to make the score 0-1 to the lower league team.

At half time, despite a late chance for the home side, the teams went in with Pagham FC holding onto the 0-1 lead.

In the 80th minute the scores were level. A push in the area by a Pagham FC defender led to a penalty. Chichester City’s Bello stepped up to despatch the penalty kick into the left hand corner of the net, tying the scores at one-all.

The final ten minutes were played in heavy rain. No further goals were forthcoming and so at the full time whistle the sides shared the spoils in what had been an entertaining 1-1 draw.