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MATCH REPORTS 2010/11

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AUGUST
Warrington Town (A) |
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Warrington Town 1 Chester 1
Pre-season friendly
Attendance: 1,498 (1,200 Chester) Half Time 1-1
Booked: Horan.

Warrington Town: Pritchard, Potter, Ness (Rutter), Hardwick, Tomlinson, Rowntree, Hickey, Corrigan, Evans, (Bathurst), Salmon, Farrelly. Subs not used: Hardwick, Anderson.
Chester:
Whiteside, Aspin, Graves, Horan, Stones, Field (Barnes 72), Peers, Burgess, Hopley (Rogan 80), Wilde, Howard (Sharrock 76). Subs not used: Williams, Meadowcroft.
Referee: R.Ackers.


It’s been a long wait and and an awful lot of hard work, but Chester are finally back and have registered their first point in Evo-Stick League football.

It was also nearly the grandstand finish that the 1,200 expectant Chester fans watching at Warrington Town’s Cantilever Park had dreamt of, but they could still walk out with their heads held high after a 1-1 draw.

Chester had made the best start possible when a great pass from Michael Wilde found Rob Hopley in space in the danger area on the eighth minute. Hopley had no problem shooting past the Wire goalkeeper to put the away team 1-0 up.

There were so many Chester fans at the game (1,200 of the total 1,498 attendance), with many clad in fancy dress, that it was actually hard to think of it as an away match. I’ts been quite a while since a terrace was so packed with Chester fans that it was sometimes hard to see the action.

But the noisy away support was soon briefly silenced when the Blues’ defence let through a couple of Warrington attackers and no one seemed to take responsibility for clearing the ball. Warrington’s Gavin Salmon had no trouble scoring close to the line.

That was actually Warrington’s best spell as Chester seemed to get the measure of the uneven pitch, and half-time came without any real chance of another goal at either end.

Chester then dominated the second half, with both Wilde and Hopley looking dangerous. Andy Burgess looked threatening when he had the ball at his feet, but Chester occasionally lacked a well-placed foot in midfield when Warrington had possession.

Nevertheless, Chester continued to press and were it not for the heroics of Warrington’s ‘keeper, Paul Pritchard, the Blues could have easily scored at least two more goals.

Before long the away supporters were jeering referee Ackers for several decisions that went in Warrington’s favour – especially a couple of potential handballs. But the luck did just not go Chester’s way.

Hopley was substituted on the 80th minute by Nick Rogan, and he sent the away fans wild not long after when he put the ball in the back of the net. But the celebrations were soon quelled when Mr Ackers blew for a foul on the ‘keeper.

Both teams pressed for a winner in the closing stages, with Warrington coming close with their best spell of the second half. But it was honours even when Mr Ackers blew up for full-time.

It was certainly a relief that Chester came away undefeated and there was little to wipe the grins of pride from the faces of the travelling fans as they patiently queued to get out of Cantilever Park. It does feel strange to be seen as a ‘big’ club, but I’m sure it’s something we’ll soon get used to.

Sue Choularton


Picture © Evening Leader

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