Ryan breaks leg as Crows win again

County League OneChichester City 0 Crowborough Athletic 3Justin Harris, Wayne Clarke, Paul Tuppeney and long-term absentee Dean Chamberlain were all unavailable on Saturday, and Crows had to reshuffle, which was even more unsettling when on eight minutes Ryan Hill suffered a broken leg when challenging for the ball.

Moments before the injury Hill had a chance to put Crows in front but Peter Hawkes saved well.

Dave Adams had another chance to open the scoring but scuffed his shot which went tamely through to Hawkes, while Ross Treleaven then shot into the side netting.

Chichester began to force Crows onto the back foot, and on 30 minutes Gordon saved well from one of those clever movements. The hosts then had a header that flashed wide.

On 44 minutes Crows should have been awarded a penalty when Jones fouled Steve Davis but play was waved on.

Crows started the second half brightly as Brockway went close and then Adams shot over, but on 54 minutes Chichester defender Jones gifted Liam Bull a simple tap-in.

Twelve minutes later the home defence again let in Bull, who rounded Hawkes to put Crows 2-0 ahead.

Ransome then had to be replaced, putting Treleaven back into his normal striking role, and he wasted little time in making it 3-0 with a cool finish.

Managers Harry Smith and Simon Colbran were delighted with the team's performance, but everyone's thoughts are with Ryan Hill although they said it was not too bad a bad break.

On Saturday Crows are at home to Broadbridge Heath in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase, 3pm.They expect Harris and Clarke to return and maybe Tuppeney.

Crowborough: Gordon, Crush, Prodger, Rhodes, C Bishop, Baker, Treleaven, Davis, Hill (Ransome, A Bishop), Adams, Bull.