BACK TO THE FUTURE PART 2

Few of us thought, in August, as we leant on the perimeter fence at Llansantffraid-am-Mechain, otherwise known as TNS that our association with the friendly little club would extend beyond the friendly match. For those unable to be there this report from that day might prove to be a taste of things to come given TNS�s reported interest in Chester during recent weeks.

A surreal but highly pleasant opportunity to watch Chester at Llansantffraid-ym-Mechain or Total Network Solutions as we are supposed to call them now. Llansantffraid is a tiny place (Two pubs and one tandoori takeaway) in superb countryside but the football club is ambitious and will soon have decent facilities around two sides of the village playing field.

Chester took to the field in quaint rural surroundings but with signs of a building project behind one goal and a new community centre to get changed in. The work is undoubtedly financed by the quarter of a million pounds worth of sponsorship Llansantffraid received for changing their name.

Was it true that kick off time was brought forward to 2.30pm so that the local farmers would be back home for milking time?

City began briskly from the kick off and spent most of the first half in the home team�s half. Nick Richardson went past three players on the right and clipped over an inviting cross for Murphy to head home. Unfortunately Big John suffered a bit of concussion in the process and was taken off for Bennett. Luke Beckett�s pull back then set up Benno to lash the ball into the back of the net for City�s second. Richardson sent in a thunderous drive just past the angle of crossbar and post which then slammed into a Vauxhall Vectra in the car park, just missing the wing mirror and avoiding any damage. We wondered whether City had been honing their shooting skills by using an Aston Martin for target practice. Bennett berated Beckett for not going down in the penalty box when challenged by a TNS defender. But Beckett did keep up his scoring record with a goal just before half-time.

Second half Chester came out totally unfocussed as Hoddle would say and TNS soon pulled a goal back. Worse was to follow when Brown brought down the overlapping full back and conceded a penalty. Steve O�Shaunessy netted with ease. Despite a sloppy second half performance City held on for a face saving win. Richardson was comfortably man of the match.

Chester City: Brown; Davidson, Crosby, Woods, Cross; Richardson, Flitcroft, Priest, Wright; Beckett, Murphy (Bennett). Minibus driver and general gofer: DC Evans.

All mingled afterwards in the club house which resembled a homely village hall. The walls were decked with memorabilia and the club boasted a pool table and table football.

Albert