The Cestrians were back on the road within 48 hours of their last game away to Bolton Wanderers, which they won 0-2. This was going to be another tough game as Newcastle would be looking to turn around their recent run of one point from their last three games. Chester currently 2nd in the league and Newcastle in eighth.
Ashington Community FC the venue for the game, looked great under the floodlights.
A couple of changes to the line up from Sunday; Katie Ellison had to sit this one out due to a hamstring aggravation and was replaced by Shannon Etherington and Rachel Mellor returned to central defence.
The game kicked off and the Cestrians were quickest to settle, Kacie Elson and Jess Ellison causing problems for the 2 fullbacks. A couple of great opportunities for Chester were scrambled away by defenders and keeper and comes to nothing. Despite Chester having the majority of possession and chances to create a scoring opportunity, it was Newcastle who break the deadlock. The ball given away in midfield ends up with a corner to the home team. A great in swinging delivery from Rebecca Ollie, is headed in by Steph Ord at the back post. Boosted by the goal against the run of play, Newcastle gain confidence and look to capitalise, but it finishes 1-0 at half time.
A re-invigorated Chester-le-street come out nice and early and are straight into the game; equalising within 5 minutes of the restart after a great build up and finish from Kacie Elson.
Jessica Ellison was replaced on 55 minutes by Lizzy Thompson-Clarke.
On 60 minutes NUWFC were back in the lead after the Cestrians seemed to switch off, the ball played in from the left is struck well by Steph Ord, who gets her second of the game.
The game was really open now, end to end with both teams looking to get more goals. The Cestrians enjoying the majority of it. Laura Hockaday creating 2 very good opportunities, both times sending shots just over the bar. Nichole Havery denied a couple of times by some very resolute defending. On 80 minutes the pressure paid off; a clever pass from Lucy Jackman split the central defenders and Havery held off the defenders to poke the ball into the back of the net. 2-2.
Neither team were settling for the draw – both pushing and looking for a winner with Newcastle enjoying a number of corners which were rattled in with great precision. But it was the Cestrians who created the most clear chances in the last 10 minutes, Havery and Elson going close, but it was Lizzy Thompson-Clarke who smashed a looping volley goal-bound only for Grace Donnelly to tip over the bar.
Full time 2-2. A fair result with both sides having a good shout for the spoils. League positions remain the same, Chester-le-street extend the gap in second and Newcastle remain 8th.
