Chester le Street travelled to Mossley for the second time in two weeks in the hope of extending their unbeaten record. There were four changes from last week’s team with Laura Ellison, Rae Taylor, Amy Kelly and Haley English in the starting 11.
Chester le Street played into the wind in the first half after losing the toss and they immediately put Mossley under pressure from the kick off as they showed their intent. The game settled down with Mossley probably having the best of the possession in the first ten minutes, but without any threat. Chester le Street started to come into the game and began to create chances, with some good runs from Laura Hockaday, Beth Allison and Nic Havery. Despite playing into a very strong wind, it was the Cestrians who were asking the questions and looked more likely to score. Chester broke the deadlock on 29 minutes. A great ball from Nic Havery put Laura Hockaday in behind the defence; Laura going away from them, and smashed the ball low into the corner giving the keeper no chance. The Cestrians had the momentum and enjoyed a good spell of possession and pressure in the final third. Great work down the right wing by Beth Allison, she whipped the ball into box and a half volley from Amber Mcloughlin whistled inches over. In the last minute of the half Amber broke free again, tearing down on the goal and brought out a good save from the Mossley keeper.
At the start of the Second half Chester le Street carried on where they left off, applying pressure and were rewarded with a free kick on 47mins about 30 yards out – too close for Rae Taylor and it sails over the cross bar. They continued to dominate for the next 15 minutes, sliding passes in behind and turning the Mossley defence, and shots from distance, but without success. A rare break for Mossley on 61 minutes was cut out by some excellent defensive work from Anna Collin. Chester le Street made a change on 62 minutes, Beth Allison making way for Katie Ellison. On 68 minutes Mossley finally broke the defensive line and were through on goal, but a fantastic last ditch tackle from Brogan Prudhoe stopped their striker in her tracks. The home support were up on their feet, they thought the referee had awarded penalty (when in fact he awarded a goal kick), to confuse things more the linesman flagged for something he’d seen. 30 seconds later the ref awarded a corner and much to the dismay of the home support who thought the referee had been over-ruled by the linesman.
With 77 minutes gone Mossley get an equaliser, a scrappy goal to concede for Chester le Street. The ball was played through and not dealt with by defender or keeper, Amy Hughes managed to toe poke it past the outrushing Laura Ellison. 84 minutes a free kick to Chester, just inside Mossley’s half, Rae Taylor smashed it, but it whistled just wide of the upright.
On 89 minutes another free kick to Chester le street 25 yards out, Rae Taylor and Nic Havery over the ball, before Nic smashes it low and hard it past the wall and it flies into the bottom corner. It’s a screamer, the keeper had no chance. 2-1 Cestrians. Chester le Street see out the closing stages to record the ninth win on the trot and another 3 points.
A difficult game for the Cestrians and another long day, but the win made up for it.
