The Cestrian’s travelled to Preston (re-arranged venue) for the game against Morecambe Town Ladies – looking to continue the good away form and pick up another victory following on from the week before against Crewe Alexandra. As well as the re-arranged venue, the Cestrians also faced a later kick off of 3pm, which was further delayed by over-running games.
The game finally got underway at 1520 and Chester were straight on the attack; following some good play down the right wing, the ball was whipped across but Amy Lawson was unable to hit the target with her header. Nichole Havery and Jess Ellison also going close in the opening exchanges. Somewhat against the run of play and chances, the ball was played into the Chester box, shouts of penalty for handball were waved away by the referee; the ball fell to Lottie Gray who hammered home for Morecambe, 1-0.
The Cestrians continued to pile forward and were pushing for an equaliser, time and again they broke the offside trap but were unable to convert. A great break from Nichole Havery had her bearing down on the keeper, but she couldn’t get the ball over the top down and under control quickly enough, which gave the defenders a chance to block her shot. A great shot from Laura Hockaday had the Morecambe keeper scurrying across the goal and pushing the shot around the post. Two further attacks saw both Hockaday and Havery go close again, both striking the ball off the woodwork.
Chester le Street made two substitutions at half time which saw Kacie Elson and Lizzy Thompson-Clarke replace Abi Thompson and Jess Ellison. In the first minute and attack of the half, Lizzy Thompson flew past the Left back towards the box and let fly at the keeper, who palmed it away and recovered at the second opportunity. The tone was set. Attack after attack on the Morecambe back line and goal, the wide players giving the fullbacks a torrid time. Laura Hockaday had two more great shots on goal, just whistling over the bar, Nichole Havery testing the keeper on 3 more occasions. On 62 minutes their persistence paid off, Lizzy Thompson-Clarke, cut in from the right, passed the defender and curled a shot with her left foot into the nearside bottom corner. 1-1. Moments later Chester had the ball in the back of the net as Kacie Elson raced through and smashed it home, but it was ruled out for offside somewhere in the build up. The Cestrians continued to pile forward looking for the winner, on 75 minutes Katie Ellison smashed a fantastic half volley from about 40 yards, which was inches over. Minutes later and Anna Collin was surging through midfield only to be brought down. It looked a certain penalty, but after much debate the referee awarded a free-kick on the 18 yard line, but it came to nothing and Morecambe were able to clear.
On 86 minutes, Laura Hockaday gave the Cestrians a deserved lead and the winner. With her back to goal she rolled the ball across her body and onto her left foot, spun and curled a beauty into the far corner.
Team; Stephanie Jones, Abigail Thompson, Katie Ellison, Anna Collin, Brogan Prudhoe, Rachel Mellor, Lucy Jackman, Amy Lawson( Beth Allison 66 mins), Nichole Havery, Laura Hockaday, Jessica Ellison
Sub Not used : Holly Jackman
