Nationwide Conference, Tuesday 21st August 2001
Chester City went down to a first minute goal for the second time in a week as they were defeated by local rivals Southport at High Avenue tonight. Phil Wilson will be pleased that his side have got to a good start, but in truth they made heavy weather of this contest.
From the kick off Southport pressed forward. A free kick just in side the Chester half is meat and drink to dead ball specialist Gary Bauress. He launched the ball into the box. Shaun Teale stooped to head the ball in to the net for his second goal of the season after 51 seconds. An improvement for Chester as it took Woking 50 seconds at the weekend to beat the Chester back line.
Three minutes later, Bauress fired over the bar with his back to goal following good work down the left from full back Chris Lane. In truth it was all Southport at this stage. But ten minutes in there was some resistance from Chester City, with Mark Beesley who fired a weak effort goal wards into the arms of home keeper Steve Dickinson after ten minutes.
On twelve minutes Beesley beat the off side trap down the near touch line he crossed for Sammy Hill, who did not endear himself to the travelling contingent from Cheshire, as he strayed offside. Hill had been booed from the kick off by the Chester City fans, by virtue of the fact that he is manger Gordon Hill’s son. The Chester City pantomime has shown no sign of abating neither during the summer nor today with the Chester fans chanting the name of their former manager Graham Barrow, sacked in the summer by their absentee chairman Terry Smith in the summer. Ironically Barrow was amongst the crowd tonight on a scouting mission for Rochdale.
Chris Malkin Chester City’s summer signing from Telford United had his first and last contribution to the game on 16 minutes when he tamely headed towards goal. A minute later he was replaced by substitute Darren Wright, after a recurrence of the injury that kept him out the game on Saturday.
Seventeen minutes gone and full back Carl McCauley fired a shot on to the cross bar following good work down the right by Lane. Three minutes later Southport’s Simon Parke headed wide as Southport sought to convert the sustained pressure of the first half into goals.
Chester City’s Michael Rose became the first player to be booked on 23 minutes following a poor tackle on Lee Elam. Southport’s Elam was becoming more and more of a threat to Chester City as the half wore on but was sloppy as he flashed a weak header wide of the post.
Elam was again involved with two minutes to half time as he played in Simon Parke down the left who unleashed a shot which was miss kicked by Michael Rose over his own bar. This was to be the last chance of the first half as Southport went in at the break good value for their one goal lead.
Three minutes into the second half Elam and Southport started where they had left off on the attack. Elam’s jinking run turned the Chester defence in side out but on this occasion he fired straight at the keeper.
The feeling was that Southport would rue the chances they had squandered in the first half and this was the case when Mark Beesley equalised after 51 minutes with a glancing header past the stranded Southport keeper Steve Dickinson following good work by Michael Rose down the left. It had been an eventful day for Michael Rose and it was more so seven minutes later when he was sent off for a second bookable offence following a clumsy challenge on Steve Jones.
The inevitable Southport goal came on 67 minutes following two earlier chances for Elam and Jones to score they resorted to a less conventional route. Steve Jones flicked a long kick by keeper Steve Dickinson, into the path of Simon Parke who flicked the ball over the on rushing Chester keeper Wayne Brown.
Then it was a case of hero turned villain on two counts. Referee Mr Russell Tiffin who up until this moment at had a reasonable game but obviously did not want to be outdone by his more illustrious colleague David Elleray. Simon Parke was booked on 74 minutes for kicking the ball away after the referee had blown for which he could have no complaints. Less than a minute later Parke was put through by Elam, unfortunately he was marginally offside. It obvious to all and sundry that he had not heard the whistle, and like all good strikers he rounded the keeper to score, what he thought was Southport’s winner. It was not to be the goal was disallowed and he was booked again for time wasting and with it he received a red card.
With numerical parity restored Southport did not rest on their laurels on 77 minutes they put the game beyond Chester with a goal from new boy Steve Jones following good work by Lee Elam, to make it three – one. It was to Jones’ last contribution as he was hurt in the lead up to the goal and was replaced on 79 minutes by terrace cult hero Ben O’Bong – likened by the home fans to Paulo Wanchope.
With five minutes of added time to play, the loudest cheer of the night was reserved for Graham Barrow who left before he could see his former club grab another consolation goal. Steve Rose, brother of Michael fired in a free kick which Dickinson could only fumble at the feet of Darren Wright who pounced to give Chester a second goal but it was all in vain as the referee blew his whistle soon after.
Chester’s problems continue and they look like they are in free fall. They certainly have the players to stave of relegation but it is obvious that do not wish to play for the current regime. All in all they lacked shape and coherence. For Southport it’s a useful start for new manger Phil Wilson who has seemingly going the right way blending his own players with ones from the previous manager. They should not be too far from the top six this season.
ATT – 1554
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
Showing posts with label Chester City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chester City. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 22, 2001
Tuesday, May 8, 2001
Chester City 1 Rushden & Diamonds 2
Nationwide Conference, Saturday 5th May 2001
It has been along time coming but Rushden & Diamond have finally been promoted to the Football League. After the near misses of the last two seasons Max Griggs faith in Brian Talbot to deliver the Holy Grail that is League football, has been repaid in impressive style. Such is the set up at Rushden they are already being talked about as potential promotion candidates for next season.
You had to remind yourself that there was actually a game of football taking place here today. Rushden’s impressive travelling support was vociferous, as you would expect for a team about to be unveiled as Champions but the Chester faithful were equally as noisy. The Chester fans were expressing their disappointment at the way that the club is being run by the American chairman Terry Smith, who had the good sense to stay away from today’s proceedings. This game may not of taken place after it was announced prior to the game that Chester’s stewards had resigned on block as a show of unity with the 1000 supporters who had walked through the streets carrying a coffin, draped in the club colours.
The stewards agreed to return to work for this game, but once the game got under way it you sensed that should not have bothered. It certainly had all the attributes of an end of season encounter. We had to wait for 15 minutes for the first bit of meaningful action. Good work down the left by Justin Jackson, found Duane Darby unmarked but he could only steer the ball around the post.
Three minutes later John Brady thought he had opened up the Championship celebrations when on 18 minutes he scored but the referee adjudged that both he and Darby were both offside.
As the half wore on the frustrations of the Deva faithful continued to be vented at their absentee American chairman. The Rushden supporters who had been in good voice all day even joined in with the “Smith out” chants. With today’s game attracting City’s best attendance of the season; just over 4,000 saw the game the good spirited banter carried on during half time.
The second half started a little better than the first with regards to meaningful action. Rusden won a couple of corners in quick succession, which they could not convert into goals.
Chester though turned party poopers on 56 minutes when Graig Gaunt headed home a Neil Doughty corner to put Chester into the lead and one up. Chester had little time to defend this lead when three minutes later Rushden restored parity, when John Brady whipped in a free kick from the left hand side. Mark Peters rose unchallenged to head home the equalizer.
On 72 minutes referee Dave Kellett waved away Chester appeals for a penalty, when Steve Whitehall appeared to be pushed by Billy Turley in the Rushden goal.
Rushden’s magnificent season was capped with in the 89th minute when Duane Darby laid the ball off to the man of the match John Darby who thumped a 35 yard shot past Chester keeper Wayne Brown.
This launched the Championship celebrations, after the game Rushden were awarded the championship trophy in front of their travelling army of 2000 supporters as well as those Chester fans that had stayed to applaud the champions as well as continue their protests against their chairman.
Brian Talbot managed to reflect on the championship success amid the celebrations when he said, “It has been a fabulous season and the lads have been magnificent. We’ll now have a short break before we get down to life in the league. It’s a great feeling. It’s been a tough campaign but in the end it’s all been worth it.”
It was the realisation of a dream for Club Chairman Max Griggs who has bankrolled Rusden and was glowing in his praise for his boss Brian Talbot before reflecting on the future.
“Brian is a top manager he doesn’t treat me like a bottomless pit of money. I will now sit back and relax, as I am happy we are now a league club. This is good for the area and the local community.”
He further added,
“ It has all been heady stuff I will be able to relax in a couple of days and release we are in the league.”
While it appears to be a quite summer Rushden, the same can’t be said of today’s opponents Chester City who face up to a summer of uncertainty again. Who will own the club? Will Terry Smith still be in charge? Will there still be a Chester City next season? These are just a few questions being asked at the moment. Chester have one more game on Monday night the final of the Nationwide trophy, which could at least add a silver lining to another gloomy season and give manager Graham Barrow, who is still barred from speaking to the press, a trophy his efforts have deserved.
ATT 4040
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
It has been along time coming but Rushden & Diamond have finally been promoted to the Football League. After the near misses of the last two seasons Max Griggs faith in Brian Talbot to deliver the Holy Grail that is League football, has been repaid in impressive style. Such is the set up at Rushden they are already being talked about as potential promotion candidates for next season.
You had to remind yourself that there was actually a game of football taking place here today. Rushden’s impressive travelling support was vociferous, as you would expect for a team about to be unveiled as Champions but the Chester faithful were equally as noisy. The Chester fans were expressing their disappointment at the way that the club is being run by the American chairman Terry Smith, who had the good sense to stay away from today’s proceedings. This game may not of taken place after it was announced prior to the game that Chester’s stewards had resigned on block as a show of unity with the 1000 supporters who had walked through the streets carrying a coffin, draped in the club colours.
The stewards agreed to return to work for this game, but once the game got under way it you sensed that should not have bothered. It certainly had all the attributes of an end of season encounter. We had to wait for 15 minutes for the first bit of meaningful action. Good work down the left by Justin Jackson, found Duane Darby unmarked but he could only steer the ball around the post.
Three minutes later John Brady thought he had opened up the Championship celebrations when on 18 minutes he scored but the referee adjudged that both he and Darby were both offside.
As the half wore on the frustrations of the Deva faithful continued to be vented at their absentee American chairman. The Rushden supporters who had been in good voice all day even joined in with the “Smith out” chants. With today’s game attracting City’s best attendance of the season; just over 4,000 saw the game the good spirited banter carried on during half time.
The second half started a little better than the first with regards to meaningful action. Rusden won a couple of corners in quick succession, which they could not convert into goals.
Chester though turned party poopers on 56 minutes when Graig Gaunt headed home a Neil Doughty corner to put Chester into the lead and one up. Chester had little time to defend this lead when three minutes later Rushden restored parity, when John Brady whipped in a free kick from the left hand side. Mark Peters rose unchallenged to head home the equalizer.
On 72 minutes referee Dave Kellett waved away Chester appeals for a penalty, when Steve Whitehall appeared to be pushed by Billy Turley in the Rushden goal.
Rushden’s magnificent season was capped with in the 89th minute when Duane Darby laid the ball off to the man of the match John Darby who thumped a 35 yard shot past Chester keeper Wayne Brown.
This launched the Championship celebrations, after the game Rushden were awarded the championship trophy in front of their travelling army of 2000 supporters as well as those Chester fans that had stayed to applaud the champions as well as continue their protests against their chairman.
Brian Talbot managed to reflect on the championship success amid the celebrations when he said, “It has been a fabulous season and the lads have been magnificent. We’ll now have a short break before we get down to life in the league. It’s a great feeling. It’s been a tough campaign but in the end it’s all been worth it.”
It was the realisation of a dream for Club Chairman Max Griggs who has bankrolled Rusden and was glowing in his praise for his boss Brian Talbot before reflecting on the future.
“Brian is a top manager he doesn’t treat me like a bottomless pit of money. I will now sit back and relax, as I am happy we are now a league club. This is good for the area and the local community.”
He further added,
“ It has all been heady stuff I will be able to relax in a couple of days and release we are in the league.”
While it appears to be a quite summer Rushden, the same can’t be said of today’s opponents Chester City who face up to a summer of uncertainty again. Who will own the club? Will Terry Smith still be in charge? Will there still be a Chester City next season? These are just a few questions being asked at the moment. Chester have one more game on Monday night the final of the Nationwide trophy, which could at least add a silver lining to another gloomy season and give manager Graham Barrow, who is still barred from speaking to the press, a trophy his efforts have deserved.
ATT 4040
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
Saturday, April 7, 2001
Chester City 0 Canvey Island 2 (Agg) 0-4
FA Trophy Semi Final – Second Leg, Saturday 7th April 2001
Two goals were enough to ease Canvey Island through to their first FA Trophy final against a disappointing Chester City at the Deva stadium today. City certainly knew what to expect from Canvey, after last weeks first encounter, as well as from the reputation they have earned from their previous cup encounters this season.
The overnight rain which had rolled in across the Welsh hills put this game in some doubt, unfortunately for Chester the game was given the go ahead. It has been a disappointing month for Chester both on and off the field, and the uncertainty over the ownership of the club is without doubt beginning to take its toll. The frustrations of the supporters are aimed at one man the American owner Terry Smith, who resigned as a director in midweek leaving his father as the sole director of the club.
The elements certainly played their part in the game and with Chester losing the toss; they faced the prospect of kicking into the wind in the second half. Canvey had the better of the opening exchanges and after eight minutes Gregson tried his luck from distance but Chester’s England semi-professional international goalkeeper Wayne Brown was more than equal too. Two minutes later, Canvey’s Steve Tilston worked a quickly taken free kick over the bar.
Chester turned defence into attack on the quarter hour mark, when after good work between Neil Fisher and Matt Woods, Fisher whipped in a right wing cross but defender Martin Lancaster could only head over the bar. Three minutes later, the breakthrough goal that Chester was striving for almost came. Scot Ruscoe used his pace to break free down the left, he delivered a pass to Steve Whitehall who was denied by a last ditch tackle by Ben Cheenery, four yards from the goal line.
With a two-goal deficit to claw back from the first leg Chester pushed men forward in search of the elusive goal that would make in-roads into the game. This was to prove their undoing, with men committed to attack, the impressive Mark Stimson took possession of the ball just inside his own half and ran at the stretched Chester back line. A one-two between Wayne Vaughan and Mark Stimson played in Steve Parmenter, who fired an unstoppable shot past Brown, with 29 minutes of the game gone.
The odds were now seemingly insurmountable now for Chester and it could have been much worse a minute later, if Wayne Brown in the Chester goal had not been equal to Tilston’s speculative thirty-yard effort.
At half time, the home faithful voiced their frustrations at the players, who left the field to a chorus of boos. At least it was a respite for the embattled Chester chairman, Terry Smith. In a bid to change things around Chester City boss, Graham Barrow introduced the lively Jimmy Haarhof and switched to a flat back four.
Two minutes into the second half Chester City were almost back in the game. A long kick by Wayne Brown caught the wind and carried over the Canvey defence. Steve Ward pushed the ball past his own keeper who had advanced to collect the ball. In the scramble that ensued Chester’s Steve Whitehall found the ball stuck under his feet and was unable to work a shot on target. Canvey’s goalkeeper Ashley Harrison was a relieved man once the ball was in his possession.
Chester huffed and puffed but they could not break down the resolute Canvey back line. On 54 minutes Chris Blackburn fired over following good work by Haarhof. Two minutes later Blackburn turned provider for Steve Whitehall whose volley was saved by keeper Ashley Harrison.
With the chance of glory seemingly gone the final nail in the coffin came on the hour mark. Out of nothing, Mark Stimson capped a marvellous performance with along range effort, which took a deflection past the stranded Chester keeper and into the net. With a four goal cushion the Chester faithful had seen enough and departed in droves. Those that stayed vented further scorn on Chairman Terry Smith.
After the game a bitterly a bitterly disappointed Chester boss Graham Barrow reflected on what might have been. “ I felt we lost it down there to be honest – but the disappointing thing for me is because we have just lost a semi final. March has been a bad time for us ” There was nothing but praise from the Chester boss for Canvey for the professionalism shown through both ties.
Canvey boss Jeff King praised the spirit shown by his players and looked forward to the clubs first major final. “ Before the game I wished the tie had finished last week – but credit to lads they were magnificent today”
The remarkable rise of Canvey Island continues at a pace. After a remarkable season in both the FA Trophy and FA Cup that has seen many a loftier side cast aside, they can now reflect on a final at Villa Park. It is probably with a tinge of regret that they will not be able to run out at Wembley. But wherever the final is held one thing is certain Canvey wont be there just to make the numbers up, they have every chance of putting their name on the trophy. The very least they deserve after this seasons exploits.
ATT: 2,647
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
Two goals were enough to ease Canvey Island through to their first FA Trophy final against a disappointing Chester City at the Deva stadium today. City certainly knew what to expect from Canvey, after last weeks first encounter, as well as from the reputation they have earned from their previous cup encounters this season.
The overnight rain which had rolled in across the Welsh hills put this game in some doubt, unfortunately for Chester the game was given the go ahead. It has been a disappointing month for Chester both on and off the field, and the uncertainty over the ownership of the club is without doubt beginning to take its toll. The frustrations of the supporters are aimed at one man the American owner Terry Smith, who resigned as a director in midweek leaving his father as the sole director of the club.
The elements certainly played their part in the game and with Chester losing the toss; they faced the prospect of kicking into the wind in the second half. Canvey had the better of the opening exchanges and after eight minutes Gregson tried his luck from distance but Chester’s England semi-professional international goalkeeper Wayne Brown was more than equal too. Two minutes later, Canvey’s Steve Tilston worked a quickly taken free kick over the bar.
Chester turned defence into attack on the quarter hour mark, when after good work between Neil Fisher and Matt Woods, Fisher whipped in a right wing cross but defender Martin Lancaster could only head over the bar. Three minutes later, the breakthrough goal that Chester was striving for almost came. Scot Ruscoe used his pace to break free down the left, he delivered a pass to Steve Whitehall who was denied by a last ditch tackle by Ben Cheenery, four yards from the goal line.
With a two-goal deficit to claw back from the first leg Chester pushed men forward in search of the elusive goal that would make in-roads into the game. This was to prove their undoing, with men committed to attack, the impressive Mark Stimson took possession of the ball just inside his own half and ran at the stretched Chester back line. A one-two between Wayne Vaughan and Mark Stimson played in Steve Parmenter, who fired an unstoppable shot past Brown, with 29 minutes of the game gone.
The odds were now seemingly insurmountable now for Chester and it could have been much worse a minute later, if Wayne Brown in the Chester goal had not been equal to Tilston’s speculative thirty-yard effort.
At half time, the home faithful voiced their frustrations at the players, who left the field to a chorus of boos. At least it was a respite for the embattled Chester chairman, Terry Smith. In a bid to change things around Chester City boss, Graham Barrow introduced the lively Jimmy Haarhof and switched to a flat back four.
Two minutes into the second half Chester City were almost back in the game. A long kick by Wayne Brown caught the wind and carried over the Canvey defence. Steve Ward pushed the ball past his own keeper who had advanced to collect the ball. In the scramble that ensued Chester’s Steve Whitehall found the ball stuck under his feet and was unable to work a shot on target. Canvey’s goalkeeper Ashley Harrison was a relieved man once the ball was in his possession.
Chester huffed and puffed but they could not break down the resolute Canvey back line. On 54 minutes Chris Blackburn fired over following good work by Haarhof. Two minutes later Blackburn turned provider for Steve Whitehall whose volley was saved by keeper Ashley Harrison.
With the chance of glory seemingly gone the final nail in the coffin came on the hour mark. Out of nothing, Mark Stimson capped a marvellous performance with along range effort, which took a deflection past the stranded Chester keeper and into the net. With a four goal cushion the Chester faithful had seen enough and departed in droves. Those that stayed vented further scorn on Chairman Terry Smith.
After the game a bitterly a bitterly disappointed Chester boss Graham Barrow reflected on what might have been. “ I felt we lost it down there to be honest – but the disappointing thing for me is because we have just lost a semi final. March has been a bad time for us ” There was nothing but praise from the Chester boss for Canvey for the professionalism shown through both ties.
Canvey boss Jeff King praised the spirit shown by his players and looked forward to the clubs first major final. “ Before the game I wished the tie had finished last week – but credit to lads they were magnificent today”
The remarkable rise of Canvey Island continues at a pace. After a remarkable season in both the FA Trophy and FA Cup that has seen many a loftier side cast aside, they can now reflect on a final at Villa Park. It is probably with a tinge of regret that they will not be able to run out at Wembley. But wherever the final is held one thing is certain Canvey wont be there just to make the numbers up, they have every chance of putting their name on the trophy. The very least they deserve after this seasons exploits.
ATT: 2,647
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
Sunday, March 11, 2001
Chester City 1 Southport 0
F.A. Umbro Trophy Sixth Round, Saturday 10th March 2001
Southport manager Mark Wright blasted the referee of today’s encounter. As Chester snatched a late victory, following the award of contentious free kick, which resulted in Matt Woods 87th minute goal, which put them into the semi finals of the F.A. Trophy.
Mark Wright was clearly incensed by the performance of the referee, a referee who is no stranger to controversy involving Southport. Wright claimed after the match, “ How a local man can be appointed for this fixture is beyond me. This referee was a disgrace, he has now cost us twice this season”
The previous performance that Wright refers to was earlier this year, against Rushden & Diamonds, which prompted Southport to put in a complaint regarding his appointment for this clash. Mark Wright further claimed that the local county F.A. had some sort of anti- Liverpool bias by the appointment, of the Evertonian Pollack.
Wright was fully aware that his comments may land him in hot water with the authorities and that they might smack of sour grapes, but he did give credit to a battling Chester performance.
The game itself was a typical cup-tie, which was given added spice by the proximity of two sides both geographically and with regards to their positions in the Conference table.
The 3,000 strong crowd did not have long to wait for any meaningful action when after only 20 seconds Southport’s Ian Arnold, flashed an effort wide of the City upright. A minute later, the play switched to the opposite end of the field, City’s former Southport player Steve Whitehall hit a twenty-yard free kick wide following a foul by Phil Bolland.
Referee Pollack, did not do anything to endear himself to Southport manager Mark Wright when he waved away claims for a penalty after 16 minutes, following Woods challenge on Simon Parke. Four minutes later, the referee turned a deaf ear to Southport appeals for another possible penalty. After Ian Arnold’s cross-appeared to strike the hand of the Chester defender.
The half was drawing to a close, as Southport found four players booked in the final five minutes. Phil Bolland was cautioned for persistent foul play; while Chris Lane, Mike O’Brien and Mark Marsh were all booked for fouls on wing back Matt Doughty. It was not a dirty encounter, more keenly fought than anything else, as was highlighted by the midfield battle that was more robust than malicious.
It was Southport who had the greater share of the possession in the first half, but could not seem to get the end result their approach play deserved.
Chester battled on manfully having been denied the services of centre backs Paul Beesley and Martin Lancaster through suspension.
Three minutes into the second half, Southport keeper Steve Dickinson had to be alert when he saved a well struck effort from Mark Beesley.
On the hour mark, following good work down the left by Beesley, Matt Fisher fired over from twenty yards. On 66 minutes, Southport’s Simon Parke tried a speculative effort from the left hand corner of the box that, Wayne Brown, Chester’s England semi-professional international goalkeeper was more than equal to.
City’s best chance of breaking the deadlock came on 68 minutes, after Matt Fisher’s in swinging cross-found Steve Whitehall, who flashed a diving header just wide of the upright. The chances came and went for both sides, so to did the bookings City’s Matt Woods and Southport’s Ian Arnold and Simon Parke were added to the five names from the first half.
Chester had another opportunity on 71 minutes when Whitehall shot just over the top after the visitors’ defence had failed to clear a cross from Doughty.
The game was seemingly heading for a draw and a replay on Tuesday night; when on 87 minutes the referee awarded a free kick, to City following a foul by Southport substitute Lee Furlong. From Doughty’s free kick Whitehall headed over the Southport crossbar.
It was almost a sense of déjà vu a minute later when the referee awarded a free kick in a similar area of the field; the Southport players remonstrated with this decision but to no avail. On this occasion Doughty’s free kick caused no end of problems in the Southport defence, Matt Woods managed to plunder the winner with three minutes to go and break the hearts of Southport’s large travelling contingent. The final whistle saw Southport manager vent his frustrations at the official before he tried rallying his battle weary troops.
After the game Chester manager Graham Barrow reflected on the referee’s performance as being “Six of one and half a dozen of the other” before further adding, “People will now probably expect us to go on and win this trophy, which we probably should do. We wont be taking nothing for granted in the semi finals.”
Chester’s impressive run continues, with out a doubt Chester should be too strong over a two-legged semi final, for their next opponents but this is cup football as has been highlighted in other cup fixtures today. For Southport though it has been a depressing seven days for the club after today’s Trophy exit and last weeks loss at home to lowly Kettering Town. Southport must now pick themselves up for Tuesdays League encounter with none other than Chester City.
ATT: 3,204
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
Southport manager Mark Wright blasted the referee of today’s encounter. As Chester snatched a late victory, following the award of contentious free kick, which resulted in Matt Woods 87th minute goal, which put them into the semi finals of the F.A. Trophy.
Mark Wright was clearly incensed by the performance of the referee, a referee who is no stranger to controversy involving Southport. Wright claimed after the match, “ How a local man can be appointed for this fixture is beyond me. This referee was a disgrace, he has now cost us twice this season”
The previous performance that Wright refers to was earlier this year, against Rushden & Diamonds, which prompted Southport to put in a complaint regarding his appointment for this clash. Mark Wright further claimed that the local county F.A. had some sort of anti- Liverpool bias by the appointment, of the Evertonian Pollack.
Wright was fully aware that his comments may land him in hot water with the authorities and that they might smack of sour grapes, but he did give credit to a battling Chester performance.
The game itself was a typical cup-tie, which was given added spice by the proximity of two sides both geographically and with regards to their positions in the Conference table.
The 3,000 strong crowd did not have long to wait for any meaningful action when after only 20 seconds Southport’s Ian Arnold, flashed an effort wide of the City upright. A minute later, the play switched to the opposite end of the field, City’s former Southport player Steve Whitehall hit a twenty-yard free kick wide following a foul by Phil Bolland.
Referee Pollack, did not do anything to endear himself to Southport manager Mark Wright when he waved away claims for a penalty after 16 minutes, following Woods challenge on Simon Parke. Four minutes later, the referee turned a deaf ear to Southport appeals for another possible penalty. After Ian Arnold’s cross-appeared to strike the hand of the Chester defender.
The half was drawing to a close, as Southport found four players booked in the final five minutes. Phil Bolland was cautioned for persistent foul play; while Chris Lane, Mike O’Brien and Mark Marsh were all booked for fouls on wing back Matt Doughty. It was not a dirty encounter, more keenly fought than anything else, as was highlighted by the midfield battle that was more robust than malicious.
It was Southport who had the greater share of the possession in the first half, but could not seem to get the end result their approach play deserved.
Chester battled on manfully having been denied the services of centre backs Paul Beesley and Martin Lancaster through suspension.
Three minutes into the second half, Southport keeper Steve Dickinson had to be alert when he saved a well struck effort from Mark Beesley.
On the hour mark, following good work down the left by Beesley, Matt Fisher fired over from twenty yards. On 66 minutes, Southport’s Simon Parke tried a speculative effort from the left hand corner of the box that, Wayne Brown, Chester’s England semi-professional international goalkeeper was more than equal to.
City’s best chance of breaking the deadlock came on 68 minutes, after Matt Fisher’s in swinging cross-found Steve Whitehall, who flashed a diving header just wide of the upright. The chances came and went for both sides, so to did the bookings City’s Matt Woods and Southport’s Ian Arnold and Simon Parke were added to the five names from the first half.
Chester had another opportunity on 71 minutes when Whitehall shot just over the top after the visitors’ defence had failed to clear a cross from Doughty.
The game was seemingly heading for a draw and a replay on Tuesday night; when on 87 minutes the referee awarded a free kick, to City following a foul by Southport substitute Lee Furlong. From Doughty’s free kick Whitehall headed over the Southport crossbar.
It was almost a sense of déjà vu a minute later when the referee awarded a free kick in a similar area of the field; the Southport players remonstrated with this decision but to no avail. On this occasion Doughty’s free kick caused no end of problems in the Southport defence, Matt Woods managed to plunder the winner with three minutes to go and break the hearts of Southport’s large travelling contingent. The final whistle saw Southport manager vent his frustrations at the official before he tried rallying his battle weary troops.
After the game Chester manager Graham Barrow reflected on the referee’s performance as being “Six of one and half a dozen of the other” before further adding, “People will now probably expect us to go on and win this trophy, which we probably should do. We wont be taking nothing for granted in the semi finals.”
Chester’s impressive run continues, with out a doubt Chester should be too strong over a two-legged semi final, for their next opponents but this is cup football as has been highlighted in other cup fixtures today. For Southport though it has been a depressing seven days for the club after today’s Trophy exit and last weeks loss at home to lowly Kettering Town. Southport must now pick themselves up for Tuesdays League encounter with none other than Chester City.
ATT: 3,204
* This report previously appeared on the now defunct website Pyramid Football
Saturday, January 6, 2001
Blackburn Rovers 2 Chester City 0
F.A. Cup - Third Round, Saturday 6th January 2001
Second-half Goals from Blackburn's Martin Taylor and Marcus Bent put paid to a spirited performance from Nationwide Conference side Chester City.
City were backed a strong contingent of their own supporters almost 3,000 made the trip and even though the result went against them, they certainly could be proud of their sides efforts. So many of them had made the trip in fact, that the game had to be delayed by 15 minutes to enable them to reach the ground in time for kick-off.
When the game finally got under way, Chester made a mockery of the supposed gulf in class between the two sides, in the opening exchanges of the game, they began the game with a purpose. They coped well with Blackburn's early chances and they even managed to carve out chances of their own.
On thirteen minutes, Chester’s left wing back Matt Doughty made good ground down the left wing, but he could not steer his cross in to the path of another Chester player. Blackburn tried to clear their lines, but only as far as Steve Whitehall who fired his shot over the bar.
It would not have been a typical cup tie, without the odd over ‘enthusiastic’ tackle and this game was certainly no different. Chester’s Carl Ruffer was booked on 15 minutes after a rash challenge on Blackburn’s Matt Jansen. Seven minutes later, Rovers former Liverpool and Norway wing-back Stig Inge Bjornebye followed Ruffer into the referees note book, after an equally crude challenge.
The game settled down again and after 23 minutes, Craig Hignett fired a shot on to the post from 25 yards. The early composure that Chester had shown in the first 30 minutes was not apparent when, Chester centre half Lancaster conceded an unnecessary corner after a breakdown in communications between himself and Chester goalkeeper Wayne Brown. From the resulting corner, Paul Carden almost put through his own goal, under no pressure from any advancing Blackburn forwards.
City managed to retain the ball well in the first-half, but it was Blackburn who managed to out carve the best chances, Jansen came close twice, but on both occasions he fired wide. Chester’s Matt Doughty wasted a good opportunity after a great tackle in his own half saw him run the length of the pitch, but instead of putting Whitehall through, he fired over the bar.
It certainly was not Chester who wanted the first-half to end. As the half wore on they showed the greater urgency of the two teams and looked the more assured.
Blackburn manager Graeme Souness, no doubt had a few things to say to his players at half-time. In an attempt to shake things up Souness replaced the largely ineffective Darren Dunning with the youngster Jonathon Douglas for the start of the second period.
Blackburn were on the attack early in the second-half, with the words of Graeme Souness, no doubt still ringing in their ears. Looking a little sharper than they did in the first half, they should have scored after 50 minutes, when David Dunn sent over a cross to Egil Ostenstad, who could only steer his header at the Chester goalkeeper.This was to be Ostenstads only and last contribution to the game, he was replaced by Marcus Bent on the hour mark.
Chester were still pushing forward in search of a goal to break the deadlock. With 20 minutes to go they thought their endeavours had been rewarded when Steve Whitehall put the ball past Blackburn’s Brad Friedel but the referee had adjudged that Carl Ruffer had climbed all over Martin Taylor, from Cardens inswinging corner.
As thoughts were turning to a possible replay, on 72 minutes Blackburn scored. Alan Mahon sent over a teasing corner which found the tall central defender, Martin Taylor, who glanced his header past the despairing dive of Wayne Brown.
Chester could have laid down and died at this point, but they fought back and they very nearly equalised. Steve Whitehall who had been denied earlier by a referees whistle this time found himself denied by a superb save from Friedal, the ball eventually fell to Paul Beesley who fired wide of the post. Then again, with eight minutes to go, after good work by Chester substitute Darren Wright down the left put in Whitehall, who fired over the bar from close range.
Blackburn then sealed their passage through to the next round with eight minutes to go. After a harshly awarded free kick for an alleged foul on the left touch line by Neil Fisher on Alan Mahon. From Dunn’s resulting free-kick found Bent unmarked, who then headed past the unlucky Wayne Brown in the Chester goal.
Though Blackburn were just about worthy of their victory, it was certainly cruel that Chester did not get a replay that their endeavours deserved. Chester manager Graham Barrow, although disappointed to lose reflected on the positive aspects of the day
“I thought my players were quite phenomenal and I couldn’t ask for anything more from them. Although I'm disappointed with the result, I am pleased with my players attitude. This performance can give us hope for the future”
Graeme Souness reflected on the game that it was a no-win situation for Blackburn and was just pleased to go through “ I was disappointed by our first-half performance, we weren’t at the races at all. I’m just glad that we never came unstook”
Attendance 15,223
Second-half Goals from Blackburn's Martin Taylor and Marcus Bent put paid to a spirited performance from Nationwide Conference side Chester City.
City were backed a strong contingent of their own supporters almost 3,000 made the trip and even though the result went against them, they certainly could be proud of their sides efforts. So many of them had made the trip in fact, that the game had to be delayed by 15 minutes to enable them to reach the ground in time for kick-off.
When the game finally got under way, Chester made a mockery of the supposed gulf in class between the two sides, in the opening exchanges of the game, they began the game with a purpose. They coped well with Blackburn's early chances and they even managed to carve out chances of their own.
On thirteen minutes, Chester’s left wing back Matt Doughty made good ground down the left wing, but he could not steer his cross in to the path of another Chester player. Blackburn tried to clear their lines, but only as far as Steve Whitehall who fired his shot over the bar.
It would not have been a typical cup tie, without the odd over ‘enthusiastic’ tackle and this game was certainly no different. Chester’s Carl Ruffer was booked on 15 minutes after a rash challenge on Blackburn’s Matt Jansen. Seven minutes later, Rovers former Liverpool and Norway wing-back Stig Inge Bjornebye followed Ruffer into the referees note book, after an equally crude challenge.
The game settled down again and after 23 minutes, Craig Hignett fired a shot on to the post from 25 yards. The early composure that Chester had shown in the first 30 minutes was not apparent when, Chester centre half Lancaster conceded an unnecessary corner after a breakdown in communications between himself and Chester goalkeeper Wayne Brown. From the resulting corner, Paul Carden almost put through his own goal, under no pressure from any advancing Blackburn forwards.
City managed to retain the ball well in the first-half, but it was Blackburn who managed to out carve the best chances, Jansen came close twice, but on both occasions he fired wide. Chester’s Matt Doughty wasted a good opportunity after a great tackle in his own half saw him run the length of the pitch, but instead of putting Whitehall through, he fired over the bar.
It certainly was not Chester who wanted the first-half to end. As the half wore on they showed the greater urgency of the two teams and looked the more assured.
Blackburn manager Graeme Souness, no doubt had a few things to say to his players at half-time. In an attempt to shake things up Souness replaced the largely ineffective Darren Dunning with the youngster Jonathon Douglas for the start of the second period.
Blackburn were on the attack early in the second-half, with the words of Graeme Souness, no doubt still ringing in their ears. Looking a little sharper than they did in the first half, they should have scored after 50 minutes, when David Dunn sent over a cross to Egil Ostenstad, who could only steer his header at the Chester goalkeeper.This was to be Ostenstads only and last contribution to the game, he was replaced by Marcus Bent on the hour mark.
Chester were still pushing forward in search of a goal to break the deadlock. With 20 minutes to go they thought their endeavours had been rewarded when Steve Whitehall put the ball past Blackburn’s Brad Friedel but the referee had adjudged that Carl Ruffer had climbed all over Martin Taylor, from Cardens inswinging corner.
As thoughts were turning to a possible replay, on 72 minutes Blackburn scored. Alan Mahon sent over a teasing corner which found the tall central defender, Martin Taylor, who glanced his header past the despairing dive of Wayne Brown.
Chester could have laid down and died at this point, but they fought back and they very nearly equalised. Steve Whitehall who had been denied earlier by a referees whistle this time found himself denied by a superb save from Friedal, the ball eventually fell to Paul Beesley who fired wide of the post. Then again, with eight minutes to go, after good work by Chester substitute Darren Wright down the left put in Whitehall, who fired over the bar from close range.
Blackburn then sealed their passage through to the next round with eight minutes to go. After a harshly awarded free kick for an alleged foul on the left touch line by Neil Fisher on Alan Mahon. From Dunn’s resulting free-kick found Bent unmarked, who then headed past the unlucky Wayne Brown in the Chester goal.
Though Blackburn were just about worthy of their victory, it was certainly cruel that Chester did not get a replay that their endeavours deserved. Chester manager Graham Barrow, although disappointed to lose reflected on the positive aspects of the day
“I thought my players were quite phenomenal and I couldn’t ask for anything more from them. Although I'm disappointed with the result, I am pleased with my players attitude. This performance can give us hope for the future”
Graeme Souness reflected on the game that it was a no-win situation for Blackburn and was just pleased to go through “ I was disappointed by our first-half performance, we weren’t at the races at all. I’m just glad that we never came unstook”
Attendance 15,223
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