Youths too strong for Chester

Liam Newman - scored the first goal

It was mentioned by a member of the crowd that it's spring tomorrow. However, with a biting cold wind blowing directly in our faces along with intermittent hail showers it certainly didn't feel like it. We lined up with a strong side, although top scorer Wes Fletcher was conspicuously left on the bench. This meant a starting berth for the 1^st year duo of Liam Newman and Dom Knowles up front. Nik Kudiersky was also on the sidelines, giving Dil Chaggar another opportunity at right back, with Dan Brown shifted into the centre.

The 1^st half was dominated by us. Our midfield was imperious and on the rare occasion the ball got past them the defence stepped out and mopped up. We could have scored half a dozen but unfortunately we rarely got as far as testing the keeper. It was infuriating at times as ball after ball was played forward, only to see the linesman's flag punish our poor awareness, or our attacks dissipate as the killer ball was misplaced.

The opening goal came around ten minutes in. Chris Anderson read a bouncing ball in midfield and controlled well, removing two opponents from the game. He broke forward and looked up, sliding the ball through for Newman to run on to. It was a little over hit and the keeper could have got it but he hesitated while Newman committed himself. The Welshman won the race and flicked it past the goalie into the net.

We thought it would be two around ten minutes later. Chris Lynch charged out of defence to cut out a cross field ball and strode clear. His ball forward picked out James Craggs cutting in from the left and he took a touch to control and fired at goal. It looked destined for the roof of the net but lifted sharply in the wind, cracking against the bar.

Despite the total control we were exerting the half ended with us winning 1-0. The 2^nd half was like an antithesis of the 1^st. For half an hour there was virtually nothing of note to report on. The weather worsened and play was scrappy from both sides, with some feisty challenges flying in. Despite the rough and tumble the only time when treatment looked likely to be needed by a player was when the Chester left back blocked a clearance with his, erm, nether regions. The male portion of the crown took a sharp intake of breath and the poor lad needed a minute or two to compose himself (and count the remains).

The first effort at goal in the 2^nd half came from the visitors as a cross/shot from the right was caught on the wind and clipped the bar with Stef Ritchie well beaten. Five minutes later we had extended our lead though and ended the game as a contest. An attack down the left ended with the ball being played across the face of the Chester goal and Oliver Devenney was on hand to tap in at the far post.

A great low save prevented us from nabbing a third instantly from the kick off as Newman flicked a shot goalwards following great work from Devenney. It was three with 5 minutes left in the game though as Knowles turned in the box and fired home from close range to allow us to close out the game winning 3-0.

It has been confirmed by parents that Tuesday is d-day for the lads. Needless to say I'd like to offer my best wishes and hope that a good few of you are offered contracts. We certainly have some talented players in this year's group. But before that is our Cup game away to Oldham on Monday and an epic the likes of which I witnessed a couple of years back would be a fitting way to sign off for some of you.

Team:- Stef Ritchie, Dil Chaggar, Jake McEneaney, Dan Brown, Chris Lynch, Alex-Ray Harvey, Chris Anderson, Oliver Devenney, James Craggs, Liam Newman, Dom Knowles.
Subs not used:- Dan McDonald, Wes Fletcher, Nik Kudiersky, Ed Williams, Michael King.