The Cestrians were back in action following their previous week 2-1 victory over Bolton Wanderers. Sundays opponents were Liverpool Feds, who Chester le street drew with 1-1 earlier in the season at home, so they’d have to be on top form to maintain second in the League. The players headed into the game full of confidence after an excellent performance the week before against Bolton, although would be travelling with only a squad of 11 as a couple of players were unavailable.
It was a very different looking line up for the Cestrians, Rachel Mellor once again pulled on the keeper jersey and gloves. Feds got the game underway, taking a very aggressive set up for the kick off, with fullbacks attacking and setting the tone for the start of the game. The opening minutes was all Feds and they got the early breakthrough on 5 minutes; the Cestrians not getting tight and Jodie Mortimer curled one into the top corner. Feds were causing problems in midfield with some clever rotations, which the Chester players were struggling to contain. Chester le Street were unfortunate on a couple of occasions not to get an equaliser, Kacie Elson and Laura Hockaday, getting the ball in behind the back three. Feds continued to dominate the possession, but for all the possession, didn’t have any more clear cut chances on goal.
After a much needed break and re-organisation, it was Chester le Street who flew out of the gates, two very quick opportunities whistling past the Feds goal. With only 3 minutes on the clock in the second half, Lucy Jackman whipped in a fine corner, which was headed away only as far as the edge of the 18 yard box back towards Lucy Jackman, she looked up and curled it straight into the far corner. A fantastic response from the Cestrians and a great goal. Chester now dominated the game, Laura Hockaday getting the measure of the Liverpool Centre backs and whipping dangerous balls into the box, Nichole Havery and Kacie Elson going close, with a ball being hacked away off the line and another onto the post and somehow staying out, hitting the keeper and Havery for a goal kick. The game was finally balanced but the Cestrians looked the more likely to get a second. Tiegan Hutchinson played some great passes for Elson and Havery to get after, two looked very promising, a mix up between the defenders and Keeper had Havery homing in on goal, only for the keeper to get a hand to it and push it away. On 66 minutes the pressure from Chester paid off, Kacie Elson twisted past 2 defenders poked a shot which the keeper couldn’t hold onto, despite defender and keeper trying to stop it, the ball crossed the line, 1-2 to Chester. They kept applying more pressure and went close on another couple of occasions but couldn’t get the third.
The Feds quickly changed and pushed three players into attack and a couple of substitutions to try and get back into the game. On 75 they did just that, the left winger finally managing to get behind the Cestrians back four and a tap in at the far post for one of the substitutes. It was now a really open game, end to end as both teams continued to look for the winner. It could have gone either way as both teams created chances and players tired slightly. Laura Hockaday (who had moved to left back) and Lauren Henderson whipped in a couple of great crosses but Havery and Elson couldn’t get their shots on target.
Team: Rachel Mellor, Amy Lawson ( Lauren Henderson 76 mins) , Jessica Ellison, Anna Collin, Brogan Prudhoe, Abigail Thompson, Lucy Jackman, Nichole Havery, Laura Hockaday, Kacie Ellison, Teigan Hutchinson
On Sunday 5 May Chester le Street Town Ladies are at home to Norton & Stockton Ladies needing 3 points to be sure of finish9ng the season in runners up position ko is 2.00 at Chester Moor ground DH2 3RW
