Dagenham & Redbridge: Robert, West (Vickers 87), Smith (Cole 46), Goodwin, Jones (Broom 83), Janney, Terry, McGavin, McDougald, Stein, Shipp. Subs not used: Charlery, Gothard.
Chester City: W.Brown, Lancaster, M.Rose, M.Williams, Carden (Woodyatt 66), Brabin, Blackburn, McGorry, Collins, Whittaker (Haarhoff 66), D.Brown (Ruffer 62). Subs not used: Peacock, Spink.
Referee: K.Woolmer (Kettering).

City's traumatic season finally came to an end in the cold and wet east London on Sunday. The Blues were eventually well beaten 3-0 by a Dagenham side that had to be content with a runners-up spot behind champions Boston United.

The highest league crowd of the season – 3,939. packed into Victoria Road with about 300 making the trip down from Chester to cheer on the sky blues (why do we still wear the unpopular Smith kit?) who had a chance of finishing as high as eighth with a victory.

It was Chester that settled better at the start with winger Stuart Whittaker looking lively down the left. In fact, Whittaker's cross for a Chris Blackburn header was the first action on goal after 15 minutes. Danny Collins, playing up front with David Brown, chased everything and set Brown up on a couple of occasions but the forward was unable to take advantage shooting wide and seeing another effort blocked by veteran goalkeeper Tony Roberts.

Twice Dagenham threatened to open the scoring minutes before half-time. From a free kick Wayne Brown had to make a full length save to tip Steve West's free kick round his left hand post. Then, minutes later, that post came to City's rescue as Lee Goodwin saw a free header from an inswinging corner bounce off it to safety.

Right on half time Whittaker, cutting in from the left, saw his close range shot from an acute angle smothered by Roberts at the near post as City went in at the break fully deserving to be level.

Ten minutes after the break a controversial moment as Whittaker, put though by Collins, went on another of his forging runs, was sent sprawling in the box following a sliding tackle by Cole. The City fans in front of the incident howled for a penalty but referee Woolmer waved play-on.

Minutes later the heavens opened up and the threatened downpour ensured that fans, without the basics of a roof, got drenched in the process. Any chance of seeking refuge from the downpour against the wall at the back of the terrace was stopped by stewards.

The Daggers took the lead on 61 minutes and a simple goal it was too. Dangerman Mark Stein was left totally unmarked in the middle to tap home from six yards after Wayne Brown had parried Paul Terry's shot.

Five minutes later it was two. Junior McDougald turned Mark Williams down the right and his low cross was met once again by Stein at the far post.

City brought on Carl Ruffer and he was unlucky to see a header from a Mike Rose corner blocked by Roberts before the home side added a third, defender Cole heading home McGavin's corner at the near post with four minutes to go.

So a disappointing last 45 minutes of the season for the Blues. Manager Mark Wright gave the team a 30 minute dressing down after the game stating:

�In the first half we were in control and they did not look like breaking us down. But we stopped playing after the break and they deserved to win on their secondhalf performance. In 15 games we have lost just three and the players deserve a lot of credit for that. But when it came to the crunch it wasn't quite there. Two of their goals were a shambles and a disgrace and I can't have that. The players have to show me more than they did in the second half here. We have to be stronger and better than that and next year we will be making a lot of changes. We should have had a penalty when it was 0-0, and then I maybe thought we should have played a 4-5-1 formation because we were hesitant going for the ball in midfield and Junior McDougald made one of our players look a little bit silly when he turned on the ball, and we went 1-0 down which was unacceptable.”

Chester City: W.Brown, Lancaster, Brabin, M.Williams, M.Rose, McGorry (Ruffer 61), Carey (M.O'Brien 70), Blackburn, Whittaker, D.Brown, Collins (Haarhoff 54). Subs not used: Spink, Woodyatt.
Stevenage Borough: Greygoose, Sodje, Goodliffe, J.Campbell, Fraser, Fisher (Evans 45), Wormull, McMahon, Williams (Hamsher 77), Armstrong (Jackson 45), D.Campbell. Subs not used: Midson, Wilkerson.
Referee: M.Atkinson (Leeds).

As Hugh Lloyd signed copies of his new autobiography in the club shop he remarked how unusual it was to anticipate a match in which Chester were involved without being doubled up with worry. It certainly made quite a contrast to the last couple of years in which events both on and off the pitch have given City fans nightmares. Now, with Conference survival ensured last Tuesday night, we turned up to enjoy a meaningless game against Trophy finalists Stevenage. Mid-table mediocrity has never seemed more attractive.

I was sure today was going to be an anti-climax after the brilliant but often tense campaign against relegation which Mark Wright's City have been involved. There were more end of season awards than you could shake a stick at beforehand in a rarified Deva atmosphere of relaxation. Pleasingly both Mark Beesley and Gary Brabin received player of the season awards – Mark because his goals had kept a sinking ship afloat in the dark days of the early part of the season; Brabin because he epitomised the uncompromisingly positive belief in Conference survival.

When the game kicked off Stevenage showed they were worthy Trophy finalists, and were the better team. This was their fourth game in seven days but they did not have a jaded look. They should have taken the lead when Williams' powerful shot was beaten away by Brown only for the rebound to be headed against the post and the ball was then scooped over the bar by an over anxious 'Boro forward.

Chester took the lead on the half hour mark following good play by David Brown who released Collins to centre low into the box. Brown's shot was blocked by a defender but looped up invitingly for Whittaker to open the scoring.

After the break Stevenage came out strongly at City but when the gangling Collins was replaced by the diminutive Haarhoff the game was transformed. Haarhoff linked up with Whittaker on the right who dribbled the ball to the edge of the area before unleashing a shot which ripped into the back of the net. Chester began to buzz now and, incredibly, added three more goals in the next ten minutes. Stevenage were caught in a whirlwind as first Brown broke free and picked out Whittaker to complete his hattrick. Jimmy Haarhoff should have scored himself before recovering to centre for Brown to whip a shot into the top of the net. And to crown it all, Carl Ruffer who returned after a long lay off through injury, glanced in Mick O'Brien's free kick.

City fans were punch drunk – what a way to finish the season. More City goals could, probably should, have been added but in the end no one (Apart from perfectionist captain Brabin) begrudged Stevenage a consolation goal towards the end. Happily Chester's home record now reads – won 7 drawn 7 lost 7 – just like the winning line on the old fruit machine. It certainly felt like they had hit the jackpot at just the right time.

The Blues did their lap of honour and then the crowd spilled on to the pitch to demand an appearance by Mark Wright and by the rest of the players. No-one quite knew what to say but written on everyone's faces were – relief; thanks; congratulations; here's hoping for a relaxing summer and a positive build up to a new season without all the uncertainty that there has been for the last couple of years.

Colin Mansley

Chester City: W.Brown, Lancaster, Bolland, Whittaker (M.Rose 80), Blackburn, Brabin, Carey, McGorry, Collins, Peacock (M.Williams 22), Spink (Haarhoff 69). Subs not used: McElhatton, Ruffer.
Farnborough Town: Benfield, Harper (Crawshaw 80), Gregory, Taggart, Bunce, Warner, L.Piper (Vansittart 65), Watson, C.Piper, Lee (De Sousa 80), Green. Subs not used: Benstead, Hicks.
Referee: M.Williams (Hereford).

Stuart Whittaker couldn't have picked a better time to score his first goal for the club as his 49th minute strike brought City victory by a solitary goal and guaranteed Conference football at the Deva Stadium for another season. Manager Mark Wright gave a full debut to young striker Danny Collins who played upfront alongside Dean Spink, Mark Beesley's hairline fracture keeping him out of the side once again.

It was Farnborough, visiting the Deva for the first time and on a run of five successive wins that started the brighter forcing Chester back in the first 20 minutes with wingers Justin Gregory and Tony Taggart causing all sorts of problems down the City left.

Wayne Brown was in the action as early as the first minute gathering a 20-yarder from Dean Brown and he was in the thick of the action again 15 minutes later making a mess of a clearance though Piper failed to take advantage.

To counter the threat down the left manager Mark Wright replaced Richard Peacock with defender Mark Williams and City began to steady things at the back.

City's first chance of note came on 25 minutes when Stuart Whittaker tested Bonfield in the visitors goal with a cross shot. Minutes later Spink headed on Brown's goal kick to set Collins though but the striker placed his shot wide.

The woodwork came to Boro's rescue on 33 minutes as Whittaker's curling free-kick, following a foul on Chris Blackburn, grazed the outside of the post.

Keeper Brown was called into action again soon after and saved superbly from Green and Piper both from close range to keep City level at the break.

Three minutes after the interval came the winner. Blackburn was put through on goal and was blatantly brought down by Gregory just outside of the box. The defender, despite being the last one between Blackburn and the goal, only received a yellow card for his foul. Whittaker stepped up to send his curling shot past the outstretched arms of Bonfield into the corner.

Bunce and Vansittart both had chances for Boro as the visitors looked in vain for an equaliser that wasn't to come. In fact the best chance in the dying minutes fell to substitute Jimmy Haarhoff whose low angled shot on 82 minutes was well saved.

Chester City: W.Brown, Lancaster, Bolland, Brabin, Carden, Carey, McGorry, Blackburn, Peacock (Haarhoff 68), Spink (Collins 69), D.Brown (Whittaker 75). Subs not used: M.Williams, M.Rose.
Dover Athletic: Hyde, Seabury, Norman, Leberl, Shearer, Le Bihan, Ramsay, Strouts, James, Scott (Bathgate 80), Kelly. Subs not used: Smith, Cloke, Lane.
Referee: J.Tattan (Liverpool).

Admit it, you've got your own pet reason why Chester City have been doing so well in 2002. It could be down to you wearing the same green badge on every matchday, or it must be your lucky boxer shorts, then again perhaps it's the polo shirt you've been wearing at games for the last six years, or even that black cat that crossed your path last week.

Well forget all those thoughts. There's one key reason why the Blues have been riding high since the turn of the year – it's our Captain Colossus, Gary Brabin. Most centre-backs would be more than content with doing their part in keeping a clean sheet in a desperate relegation tussle. But Brabin did much more than that when he succeeded in scoring two crucial goals against a fading Dover team.

His second goal sealed a perfect day for any Chester fan. Those who started it at lunchtime when Stuart Rimmer and Iain Jenkins were signing Chas Sumner's new book in the city centre, must have been in seventh heaven by 4.50pm. For once we'd had nothing but good things to think about Chester for the best part of the day. A pleasant change as the end of season looms.

Stand-in striker David Brown played his part in our revelry when he opened the scoring at the Deva from a Richard Peacock corner after just 90 seconds. Boy, was I glad I was wearing that same old lucky shirt!

The game then settled into a tedious phase – livened up by referee Jim Tattan's obsession with booking players for the slightest of pushes. Meanwhile he somehow missed Brabin wrestling a hapless Dover player to the ground in a move that was reminiscent of Mick McManus at his best.

But it was Wayne Brown that kept Chester in front at this stage. Dover's Leon Kelly was about five yards out and unmarked when he tried to power home a header. But Brown pulled off one of the best instinctive saves I've seen him make all season. Dover's resulting corner stood almost no chance when it came into the box. Brabin and Phil Bolland were in the right place almost all the time throughout the 90 minutes. Thankfully when they did put a foot wrong, the run of the ball went Chester's way each time and at half-time it looked like Dover would be relegated at the expense of three vital points for Chester.

The Blues came out inspired in the second half, with Peacock and Paul Carden, who was very unlucky to get booked for barely touching a Dover player, running themselves ragged. Big Dean Spink also played his part - unsettling the shaky Dover defenders as he 'put himself about' on the edge of the box.

But the day was meant for Brabin. On the 67th minute, a Peacock corner came out to him and he thwacked the ball home into the roof of the net. It took five fellow players to 'chairlift' their stocky captain into the air as he celebrated the goal in style. For a few seconds I thought spoilsport Tattan was going to book Brabin for time-wasting. But thankfully he didn't taint our day by booking the man-of-the-match.

There was still time for another goal and Peacock, Spink and Brown were replaced by Jimmy Haarhoff, Danny Collins and Stuart Whittaker. With fresh legs on the pitch, it looked inevitable that something good would happen.

Danny Collins looked comfortable on the ball during his 20-minute spell – a very encouraging performance. Indeed it was his cross/shot that resulted in Chester's third goal. There was a goal-line scramble when the ball came across and Haarhoff somehow missed it. But who was there to pounce? Gary Brabin! He just may have helped save Chester from relegation. And although we will end 2001/2 in our worst position ever, there was enough hope in that performance to make even the most sceptical of supporters feel a little bit more buoyant about next season.

But spare a thought for Dover. Relegation is a nasty business. It always leaves a bad taste in the mouth when your team puts that final nail in someone else's coffin. I sincerely hope to visit the Crabble again.

Sue Choularton

Chester City: Louie Mackin, Tom Coulson, Paul Connolley, John Davies, James Dean, Scott Bagnall (Tom Leonard), Matt Cooke (Trialist), Carl Rogers, Lee Reece, Chris Hopwood, Gethin Lloyd.

The youth team went down 3-1 to Bradford City Saturday. They found themselves 2-0 down at half time and conceded another in the second half before James Dean scoring their consolation goal.

Forest Green Rovers: Perrin, Jenkins, Impey, Coupe, Travis (Tearney 73), Foster, Cooper, Allen (Hopkins 79), Futcher (Sykes 78), Heggs, Meechan. Subs not used: Lee, Pearcey.
Chester City: W.Brown, Woodyatt (M.Williams 80), Bolland, Lancaster, Brabin, M.Rose, McGorry, McElhatton, Carden, Spink (Blackburn 84), Beesley. Subs not used: D.Brown, Peacock, Haarhoff.
Referee: M.McCoy (Herne Bay).

Make no mistake, this was a big, big win for City, which does not really tell the truth of the overall picture of the game. A bumpy, dustbowl of a pitch, add a strong cross wind and two teams desperate for points to ease relegation fears, and you have a tense scenario. Yes overall it was a very poor match. Both sides failed to adapt to the conditions, passing was at a premium, all of which made the entertainment value non existent. Still, points are all that matters as far as City are concerned and in Mark Beesley, with two late goals, they had the main difference between the teams.

The first half was a midfield stalemate, with the early exchanges showing ex-City player Carl Heggs prominent in Forest Green attacking moves. However Heggs faded as the match progressed as the City defence, again superbly marshalled by Bolland and Brabin, had a fairly comfortable afternoon. The only direct shot of the half came from a Cooper free kick well held by Wayne Brown, while Lee Woodyatt's cross-cum-shot luckily clipped the top of the post.

The second period was not much better for the first thirty minutes. Frustrations on City's lack of ability to create anything in the match boiled over, with angry words exchanged between the City backroom staff on the bench and the long suffering travelling supporters. However, just as we were ambling to a bore draw, the game woke up. On 76 minutes, Chester won their only corner, Carden's kick was met by Bolland, whose header hit the post, and in the resulting melee, Beesley scored from close range. Rovers threw everything forward in desperation. Hopkins hit the bar from a free kick, but deep in injury time, nerves were settled with a gem of a goal from Beesley, who latched on to a precise pass from Blackburn, for a class finish.

In summary great result in the step to avoid the drop. With three home games to come the situation is in City's hands. Lets also hope that Forest Green also avoid the drop, as off the pitch, there are one the most friendly clubs in the Conference.

Alan Parry-Jones

Chester City: Louie Mackin, Tom Coulson, Paul Connolley, James Dean, Adam Hunter (Sion Griffiths), John Davies, Kevin Towey, Carl Rogers, Lee Reece, Chris Hopwood, Tom Leonard (Gethin Lloyd).

Chester City: W.Brown, Lancaster, M.Rose, M.Williams, Bolland, Brabin, Carey (Carden 43), McGorry, Peacock (Haarhoff 67), Beesley, Spink (D.Brown 61). Subs not used: Woodyatt, McElhatton.
Yeovl Town: Weale, Lockwood, Tonkin, Skiverton, Pluck, Brassart (Way 77), Johnson, Crittenden, McIndoe, Kumbar (Thompson 46), Grant (O'Brien 81). Subs not used: White, Sheffield.
Referee: S. Bratt.

The mother of all downpours just as the half time break came to an end changed the complexion of this match. All of the first half Chester had been chasing the game, defending deep against the side with an awesome away record. Yeovil nearly scored early in the game when City's defence got into a terrible tangle down the right and Brabin cleared a shot off the line. The ball came out to Skiverton near the penalty spot and he ballooned it over the stand.

Beesley had two chances for Chester in as many minutes when the score was 0-0. A left foot shot from the edge of the area fizzed a foot over. Then he ran on to a through ball which was bouncing awkwardly – he might have lifted it over the keeper, who had committed himself, but instead knocked it past him and overran the chance.

Yeovil pinned Chester back and the goal their pressure deserved came when Skiverton put his foot out to divert a mishit shot past Brown.

News came from round the grounds that virtually all our fellow strugglers were winning.

Then came that monsoon. The floodlights had to be switched on, despite British Summer Time, the sky had gone so dark. The referee seemed to have locked himself in his dressing room as the two teams got thoroughly soaked waiting for the restart. The Yeovil fans sought refuge along the back wall of the South Stand as the rain drove in under the roof at them.

Our only hope seemd to be the hope of abandonment as the pitch became waterlogged but the wet conditions actually slowed the game down. Both sets of players started sliding about but it was Chester who benefited most from the change in the weather. As the fans stirred in to life too, City began to take the ball to the visitors and after mounting some considerable pressure equalised when Lancaster, foraying upfield at a corner lashed the ball at the second attempt in to the back of the net.

Carey, carrying an injury, had to go off and was replaced by Carden. He began to provide the midfield dominance which City had been lacking and urged City forward. Brown replaced a quiet Spink. Beesley broke down the right and an unmarked Brown screamed for the ball in the centre, Beesley obliged, Brown took it round the keeper and hit his shot but not hard enought to beat the Yeovil defender who had scrambled back to cover.

Jimmy (Without water wings) came on to replace Peacock. Beesley shot wide when the keeper dropped the ball and flashed an angled header across the goal. Rose blasted several direct free kicks well over the bar and City failed to capitalise on the chance of an unlikely victory.

Not a bad point but with results elsewhere going against us, Chester are very much in the lottery of a four-way dog fight for that third relegation place. Kettering went down last season with 43 points and were thought to be unlucky with such a big total. Chester, with five games to go, are locked with three others on 42 points and are by no means safe. A thrilling scenario for the neutral but I don't know if my frayed nerve ends can stand it.

Colin Mansley