The Cestrians were missing several players for the game and had to reshuffle the pack as Defender Kevin Dixon reported in from a long delay on the M1 due to an accident around Leeds area and unable to make the game, Aaron Thompson and Josh King playing for Sunderland FoL in Manchester, Conor Lyon on holiday, Lee Mole work, Kieran Megran Injured and Dave Surrey arriving too late to start due to work commitments, taking aplace on the bench. Youngsters Callum Greaves and Alexander Walker coming in to take up the Centre back positions. 

Willington started well creating three chances in the opening minutes and it was no surprise when Mattie Moffatt was instrumental in Willington taking the lead in the 9th minute.  He ran at the Chester le Street defence before firing in an effort which deflected off a defender to Damon Ellis to tap in past keeper Jack Wilson

As the Cestrians found their composure Michael Hepplewhite volleyed an effort just over the bar. Mattie Moffatt was involved in all of Willington’s best chances at this stage, he squandered the next best chance to put Willington two up when Damon Ellis breaking down the right found him wide left to play a one-two with Conor Winter instead of a first time shot and could only to shoot well over, with defenders trying to close him down.

In the second half Chester-le-Street started to gain more of the ball without really threatening the Willington goal, with any shots being off-target as they pressed for an equaliser. They came closest when Danny Naylor fired a left foot volley from 25 yards which was well tipped over for a corner by Willington keeper Lewis Graham in the 70th minute.  Chester le Street Centre back Callum Greaves had a clear run and header as the corner was sent over, but he put the ball just over.

In the 76th minute the visitors equalised when Craig Marron took a free kick from wide left, the ball got a deflection off Willington player Jason White to go over everyone in the box before going into the goal at the far post. Both teams went for the winner with ten minutes to go and in the 85th minute Willington sub Michael Brown had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Michael Taylor who was well placed to see the incident and waved away Willington appeals.

In the end an excellent point which was worked hard for

Team: Jack Wilson, Chris Stephenson, Aaron Reynolds, Craig Marron (Capt), Callum Greaves, Alexander Walker, Dan McGuire, Danny Naylor, Michael Hepplewhite (Andy Clarkson) Dom Laws, Alex White – Subs: Not used David Surrey, Tom Iley, Dan Hepplewhite

Referee: M Taylor     Assistants: A Breeze, S Parnaby

Attendance 101