The pack was shuffled
yet again at Priory Lane by Garry Wilson & Nick Greenwood.
Paul Armstrong and Neil jenkins returned to the starting
XI and Liam Enver-Marum stepped up from the bench - Jamie
Taylor ill - Armstrong covering the injured Ban Austin
at right-back.
Matt Crabb Crosses For Atkin
To Score - Pic : David Bauckham
The side looked more balanced
and on 4 minutes The Sports took the lead. A long delivery
into the area caused confusion in the City goal - keeper
and back-four refusing to deal with the ball. As the bounce
beat John Danby Matt Crabb crossed for Andy Atkin to tap
home for 1-0. The ability to clear almost cost the home
side minutes later as a header to the edge of the 18 yard
box was smacked onto the cross-bar by Nick Chadwick. Boro
responded with Nathan Crabb crossing from the right -
the ball again not dealt with - but Atkin was unable to
react and finish. Enver-Marum and Atkin were combining
well and the No 10. curled an effort, unfortunately into
the arms of and not beyond Danby.
The Sports were very much
in the ascendancy. Jenkins curled a cross wide of the
far post on 18 minutes as he and Matt Crabb began to re-establish
their 'understanding' on the left flank. Matt Crabb was
squeezed out from a shooting chance but his ball square
to Simon Weatherstone on 25 minutes allowed a low driven
effort from distance that required Danby to save low.
Just seconds later a goal-mouth scramble in the home box
required to make a fine reaction save after a deflection.
Suddenly City had their tails up the following few moments
saw a succession of away corners - Jordan not called into
serious action again.
Elphick Challenges - Pic
: David Bauckham
Atkin crossed from the
bye-line under pressure, but too deep, and the No. 9 was
just short of a right-wing effort seconds later - Boro
still the most likely to score. Weatherstone's lob from
20 yards was short - Danby gathering - and Matty Crabb's
effort was blocked when goal ward as the pressure continued
on 32 minutes. The elder Crabb fed Weatherstone on 36
minutes but the turn allowed City to block - the ball
remaining deep in the visitors half. With the clock in
time added on Mr Watkins awarded a bizarre penalty with
the Chester player theatrically diving over Jordan. Greg
Blundell finished with style to level the scores at 1-1.
Chester started the 2nd
45 on the attack, an early corner swung in from the left
gathered by the now booked Jordan. Enver-Marum attempted
to run his way through the heart of the City defence when
Weatherstone was well placed on 47. Home dominance was
regained but with little to show bar a Jenkins long-range
effort on 55 minutes that Danby saved easily. Atkin was
a real handful up front but most of his work was out wide
- keeping possession of the ball. Matt Crabb's raking
pass to Atkin allowed Andy to 'tee' up Nathan Crabb on
60 minutes. The Boro 15 struck 1st time but the shot bent
away rather than inside the far post.
Marc Pullan In Aerial Action
- Pic : David Bauckham
The cruel football gods
almost made Boro pay again when another spurious free-kick
for City was headed onto his own bar by Jenkins; Jordan
beaten - as Dan Smith was introduced to the fray. Danby
kept his side level as Matt Crabb's cross was turned goal
ward by Atkin and the resultant corner resulted in last
ditch defence; Gary Elphick 'nodding' on. Elphick headed
down and across the face of goal on 69 minutes, Weatherstone
was just short of the final touch and the ball 'rolled'
agonisingly wide of the post.
On 79 some fantastic approach
play down the left from Matt Crabb, Jenkins and Nathan
Crabb allowed Atkin to volley; again lady luck was in
blue & white as the ball struck the bottom of the
post and rebounded out to safety. Chester had a late rally
and Boro needed to clear their lines sharply on 88 minutes
before as the 90 approached Smith won a free kick, Danby
punched clear. Boro pressed in time added on with City
committing fouls and conceding corners in desperation.
Scorer Atkin Tries His Luck,
Supported By Enver-Marum - Pic : David Bauckham
The whistle blew and Boro
appeared to have dropped points at home once again. On
the balance (and quality) of play the home side undoubtedly
deserved the full haul. But despite their recent problems
Chester City are still a relegated league outfit.
Words : Lee Peskett
