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Alfreton
Town (H) | Chorley
(A) | Darlington
(FAC2Q A) | Darlington
(FAC2QR H) | Blyth
Spartans (H)
Saturday
25 September
Chester 5 Blyth Spartans 1
National League North
Attendance: 1,444 Half Time: 0-1
Booked: Weeks.
Chester: Gray, Grand, Weeks, Hardy (Johnston
59), Glendon, Waring (Redshaw 59), Dudley, Horsfield (Cowan
70), Lacey, Williams, Askew. Subs not used: Livesey, Cowan,
Marsh-Hughes.
Blyth Spartans: Mitchell, Byrne, Lees,
Reid, Watson, Painter, Liddle, O’Donnell, Dale (Maguire
56), Thomson (McNall 69), McKeown (Evans 73). Subs not
used: Buddle, Curran.
Referee:
L.Marshall.
A warm September sun burnished the smooth turf of the
Deva stadium as Chester’s passing and movement clicked
into place. Blyth were routed by a consummate second half
display which had the home faithful purring with delight.
At half time, however, the noises off were murmurings
of discontent and even a few boos as City trailed to JJ
O’Donnell’s crisp turn and strike five minutes
into the game. It might have been worse as Thomson’s
effort was saved by Gray when the tall striker was through
on goal and later O’Donnell’s glancing header
was disallowed for offside by the narrowest of margins.
But there had been signs of City getting into gear in
the first forty-five minutes. Glendon dribbled and put
Dudley through only to see his first time effort saved.
Then, following good work by Hardy to win the ball back,
Glendon found Waring in the box, who touched it back to
Dudley who again saw his goalbound shot saved. A nicely
weighted ball from Horsfield, making his debut at right
back, put Weeks through but his angled shot was parried
by Alex Mitchell in the Spartans’ goal.
Weeks did, however, finish with precision shortly after
the break to level the score. Dudley was involved in good
approach play with Hardy on the left. Hardy’s shot
was blocked but came out to Weeks in space who drilled
the ball home into the corner of the net. Before this
there had still been time for Gray to make another smart
stop and Lees to head over from the resultant corner for
the visitors.
But buoyed by the equaliser the Blues began to sweep forward
again. Weeks picked out Dudley’s run with the perfect
pass and Chester’s Lewandowski stroked the ball
past Mitchell. Waring made sure of the finish as the ball
approached the post. Minutes later Dudley added his own
name to the scoresheet as Glendon put him clear and he
curled a sweet left footed shot into the far corner. Three
goals in ten minutes had changed half-time chunterings
on the terraces into chants of praise.
Blyth dug in and mounted a fightback as they struggled
to get back in the contest. Feisty tackles flew in and
Watson was lucky to escape with a yellow card for a flying
one on Weeks as frustration threatened to boil over. Their
admirable fans continued to chant their encouragement,
despite the whirlwind of events.
Prior to Dudley’s goal, managers Morley and Johnson
brought on Johnston and Redshaw – signed on loan
from Ashton United – to refresh City’s attacking
play further. As on Tuesday Johnston added impetus and
pace to the Blues’ attacks and Redshaw’s movements
up front opened up more possibilities.
The game was taken further away from the Spartans when
Weeks, applauded in appreciation as he approached the
corner spot, floated the perfect cross for Matty Williams
to head firmly in for number four. Johnston might have
added another when his shot whistled across the goalmouth
before Redshaw capped his debut with a crisp finish from
Johnston’s pass to the far post.
Chester had grown into this game after the early setback,
remaining patient in their build-up play. Weeks was rightly
named man of the match for a dynamically industrious performance
but others excelled too: Glendon seemed to play with a
freedom no doubt due to the influence of Lacey in defensive
midfield role; Dudley looked more of his old self, his
silky skill and smooth distribution oiled City’s
attacking machine; the two debutants - Horsfield who fitted
in well at right back and Redshaw moving with elan up
front – added to the enjoyment of the afternoon
but the whole squad emerged with credit as this win demonstrated
their considerable capabilities.
Colin Mansley
Picture © Rick Matthews
League
table after this match
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Match
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Watch
the highlights [YouTube]
Tuesday
21 September
Chester 1 Darlington 0
FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Replay
Attendance: 1,064 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Askew.
Chester: Gray, Grand, Weeks, Hardy (Livesey
89), Glendon, Waring, Dudley (Johnston 65), Clark, Williams,
Morgan (Marsh-Hughes 76), Askew. Subs not used: Smith,
Lowe, Heywood, Hughes.
Darlington: Taylor, Smith, Wheatley,
Hedley (Lambert 81), Hatfield, Charman, Cassidy, Storey,
Nelson (Dos Santos 60), Griffiths, Cooper. Subs not used:
Mondal, Martin, Beauchamp, Purver, Hope.
Referee:
M.Barlow.
Chester
and Darlo met for this FA Cup second qualifying round
replay as two sides struggling to find early season form.
Both had been hit by Covid and its knock-on effects. City
were further hampered by three additional casualties to
the team that drew 0-0 on Saturday: Kevin Roberts injured
his knee; Paddy Lacey suffered a reaction to playing his
first ninety minutes since a long lay-off and Darren Stephenson
was also unavailable through injury.
George Glendon was back after suspension, however and
Jamie Morgan and Luke Clark both started. The bench had
a youthful look with Lowe, Smith, Heywood and Hughes all
featuring along with Marsh-Hughes, Johnston and the evergreen
Danny Livesey.
City found early attacking joy down the left as the lively
Askew made his presence felt and peppered Darlington’s
box with crosses. The visitors grew to dominate possession
however, denying the Blues room in midfield. Hatfield
took an opportunist shot which looped just over Gray’s
bar.
As both teams emerged from the break a dramatic Harvest
Moon rose over the Gary Talbot Stand, its golden orange
matching the colour of the visitors’ shirts. Both
sides showed more attacking intent as they sought to settle
the tie before extra time came into play. First Darlo
had a shot just wide before City retaliated and Hardy
had space to shoot on the edge of the box but could not
hit the target. Next Gray pulled off a flying save to
deny Griffiths’ direct free kick before both sides
traded fizzing low crosses along the six yard line at
either end.
Dudley latched on to a ball over the top but was lacking
in pace to break through on goal. Minutes later he had
a better opportunity when his close range effort was saved
at point blank by Taylor. This was Dudley’s last
action as Johnston came on to replace him. The winger’s
freshness and pace worried the Quakers and helped City
build momentum. Weeks worked really hard to win possession
on a number of occasions and Glendon began to probe the
visitors’ defence. His oblique cross to Waring was
mis-controlled by the centre forward but Hardy latched
on to it and hooked it into the net despite the close
attentions of Taylor. After 177 minutes of deadlock a
breakthrough was achieved.
Still the match continued in end to end fashion as the
final minutes ticked away. A heavy fog began to filter
down over the Swettenham Stand from off the Dee to add
a frisson of menace to the scene. But the Blues held on
and progressed to the next round after this ultimately
highly entertaining encounter. Managers Morley and Johnson
will be pleased at the result and the resilience shown
by the side they were able to put out on the night. The
result was important, not only financially but for the
building up of match fitness and confidence too.
Colin Mansley
Picture © Rick Matthews
Match
pictures | Match
highlights [YouTube]
Saturday
18 September Darlington
0 Chester 0 FA
Cup Second Qualifying Round
Attendance: 1,035 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: -.
Darlington: Taylor, Smith, Wheatley,
Hatfield, Charman, Mondal (Dos Santos 52), Cassidy, Purver
(Nelson 60), Griffiths, Cooper, Storey. Subs not used:
Hedley, Rivers, Martin, Hope, Lambert.
Chester: Gray, Roberts, Williams, Grand,
Askew, Weeks, Lacey, Hardy (Johnston 83), Dudley, Stephenson
(Marsh-Hughes 79), Waring (Livesey 83). Subs not used:
Morgan, Clark, Lowe, Horsfield.
Referee:
P.Brown.
Chester
and Darlington will meet again on Tuesday night for the
right to play Marske United after their FA Cup tie ended
in a goalless draw.
The Blues made five changes from the side well beaten
at Chorley last weekend, Kevin Roberts, Danny Livesey,
George Waring, Anthony Dudley and Paddy Lacey all making
the starting line-up at Blackwell Meadows.
The chances were at a premium in the opening half, Louis
Gray saving from Junior Mondal and Declan Weeks attempting
to lob Darlo ‘keeper Tommy Taylor from long distance
the pick of the early exchanges. Weeks
and Lacey both saw efforts saved as the first half, dominated
by midfield play, wore on.
Chester’s best chance to break the deadlock came
in the 54th minute as Darren Stephenson was sent through
by James Hardy but the striker could only find the side
netting with his effort on goal.
Taylor was the busier of the two keepers, on hand to save
from both Waring and Hardy as the Blues looked to breakthrough.
It wasn’t all one-way traffic though with Simon
Grand making a last ditch tackle, and Andrew Nelson shooting
wide from 20 yards when well placed late on.
Picture © Rick Matthews
Match
pictures
Saturday
11 September Chorley
4 Chester 1 National
League North
Attendance: 1,520 Half Time: 3-1
Booked: Glendon, Hardy.
Sent-off (second yellow): Glendon.
Chorley: Urwin, Henley, Leather, Baines,
Whitehouse, Calveley, Cardwell (Blyth 57), Tomlinson,
Shenton (Okome 84), Blakeman, Hall (Alli 69). Subs not
used: Spencer-McDermott, Scarborough.
Chester: Gray, Cowan, Livesey, Williams,
Grand, Clark (Waring 42), Weeks, Glendon, Johnston (Dudley
57), Stephenson, Askew (Hardy 57). Subs not used: Roberts,
Lacey.
Referee:
D.Rogers.
Chester
were made to pay for a sluggish start by Chorley who found
themselves 3-0 up with just over half an hour played.
After going close early on the home side opened the scoring
on eight minutes as harry Cardwell rose highest to head
home a Billy Whitehouse cross.
Chester responded and saw efforts from Josh Askew and
Matty Williams effort saved by Matt Urwin. The Magpies
doubled their lead however on 20 minutes with Ollie Shenton
converting Will Tomlinson’s driven cross into he
box.
Cardwell almost scored his
second moments later heading just wide but wasn’t
to be denied in the 36th minute, forcing the ball home
from close range following an Adam Blakeman corner.
The Blues pulled a goal back on the stroke of half-time,
Dan Cowan was on hand to score from close range after
Danny Livesey had flicked on a Declan Weeks free kick.
Weeks was denied twice in the closing seconds of the half
as Chester pressed for another goal.
Six minutes into the second half Chorley grabbed their
fourth as Scott Leather side footed home from close range
from a corner giving Louis Gray no chance.
Chester’s miserable day was completed ten minutes
from time with the dismissal of George Glendon for two
yellow cards.
Picture © Rick Matthews
League
table after this match | Match
pictures
Saturday
4 September Chester
3 Alfreton Town 2
National League North
Attendance: 1,368 Half Time: 1-0
Booked: Gray, Askew, Clark.
Sent-off: Livesey.
Chester: Gray, Cowan, Livesey, Williams,
Askew, Weeks, Glendon, Clark, Hardy (Roberts 73), Johnston,
Dudley (Stephenson 64). Subs not used: Grand, Lacey, Marsh-Hughes.
Alfreton Town: Willis, Clackstone, Wilde,
Lund (Branson 82), Smith, Allan (Wiley 46), Hobson, Evans,
Read, Southwell, Reeves (Tuton 86). Subs not used: Smith-Eccles,
Stewart.
Referee:
J.Mulligan.
This was a game that had just about everything including
another late late goal for the Blues.
After an even start that saw both sides create half chances
it was Chester who broke the deadlock on 30 minutes as
a reverse ball from Anthony Dudley found James Hardy who
turned his marker twice on the edge of the box before
firing a shot across goal into the far corner.
The visitors had goalkeeper Josh Clackstone
to thank for a smart save on the stroke of half-time
to deny Dudley doubling Chester’s lead.
A late tackle on Bailey Hobson saw
Danny livesey given a straight red card 20 minutes from
time. Joint manager Andrew Johnson was also sent to
the stands by referee Mulligan.
Ten minutes later Matt Rhead leveled for the visitors
scoring at the far post after starting a breakaway move
himself. Parity lasted only 60 seconds as Declan Weeks
scored in the bottom left corner from outside the box
following a throw-in.
Alfreton wouldn’t give up and
equalised again through Rhead as he met a right wing
cross, out jumped the Blues defence and sent a looping
header over Louis Gray into the far corner of the net.
Chester came again and two minutes
into added time scored the winning goal as Dan Cowan,
despite being held back by a defender, was there to meet
Weeks’ right wing corner and head past Clackstone
to seal three dramatic points.
Picture © Rick Matthews
League
table after this match | Match
pictures | Watch
the goals (YouTube)
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