by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 15th February 2025 Chester-le-Street United 2 v 3 Jarrow F.C.
This was a huge chance for United to take a massive step forward in their chase for an end of season play-off place. On paper it was their hardest game left in their last eight fixtures.
A win against high-flying third placed Jarrow and they would be in great position to kick-on and stake their claim to have the right to fight for promotion at the cumulation of a great campaign.
For all but 15 minutes of this game, that was mission achieved and rewards collected. Unfortunately that 15 minute period was to prove the crucial period of the game which means United have to re-group and go again.
United went into the game without regular starter Michael Mallaburn through injury. Nathan Conroy returning to the starting XI to take his place. The only change from Tuesday's unlucky penalty shoot-out loss to Boro Rangers in the cup.
With so much at stake it was perhaps understandable that the game got off to a cagey start with both sides felling each other out. Jarrow perhaps with the greater share of possession but neither team getting a strike at goal in the opening 10 minutes.
The first opportunity came on 11 minutes and a great one for the visitor's it was> Levi Collins' clever ball over the top caught the United defence square and James Harper, son of former NUFC goalkeeper Steve, was away and in the clear.
James Hughes came off his line to cut down the angle and Harper decided to chip the United keeper but his effort was wide of the mark and the really good chance for Jarrow to open the scoring was gone.
United's response was Conroy showing good feet just outside the box to create a shooting chance with his left foot which was well blocked by Ryan Keltie. Keltie was involved again fouling Stephen Siyanbola wide on the left.
Harley Lawton whipped the free kick in from out wide with his left foot but it was just too high for centre back Alex Clark who'd gone up for the set piece.
A ball up from defence from Jarrow saw a neat flick on by Ryan Hardie that was collected by Benji Shodeinde who then cut across from the left into the centre of the pitch before hitting a strong 20-yard effort that was straight at Hughes.
Ben Gallagher then attempted to burst free some 25-yards from goal but was fouled by Dylan Archer who was booked for the challenge. Conroy having a well-struck effort from the dead ball but only to see Jak Wells make a comfortable save.
Charlie Loveday was causing problems for the Jarrow defence whether it was on the left, in the middle or on the right and they were finding him difficult to contain.
And perhaps he was denied a genuine goal assist on 24 minutes. Darting into the box he knocked a ball past the defender and got to the ball first crossing instantly where George Hayton tried to intercept but could only turn the ball into his own net.
United's celebrations though were curtailed as the Assistant's flag was up signalling that Gallagher was in an offside position although it was debatable whether he was interfering with play.
Another great run from the left by Loveday saw him unable to get his shot away as he entered the box. The ball deflecting into the path of Siyanbola who won a corner off Keltie.
Lawton's out swinger was well delivered and Jamie Frizzel stole in at the back post to get a firm header on target that Wells did well to parry into the air and then grab the rebound to avert any further danger.
United were now well on top and Loveday was really unlucky not to score when Wells made a terrific diving save from the Chester wide man. Loveday's 12-yard shot hitting the post and bouncing away after Wells' touch.
Finlay Day played a nice ball into the inside right channel for Harper to run on to but Dylan Wilkinson came across to concede a corner which came to nothing as the United defence stood firm.
They were almost breached on the half hour when Hardie's cross from the left was neatly and subtly flicked on by Harper with the ball skidding past the scrambling Hughes who was grateful to see it come back to him off the post.
The opening goal eventually came on 36 minutes. Lawton trying to work a crossing ;position on the right was given a better chance to when he was upended by Shodeinde.
Lawton gathered himself at the free kick and then put the ball right into the heart of the Jarrow defence where Wilkinson rose highest above his markers and nodded the ball over Wells and into the inviting net. A great strike by United.
Within two minutes United doubled their lead with a well-worked goal that had a bit of fortune about it. Wilkinson played a great ball down the right for the charging Grimaud to get too. His low cross though failed to pick anyone out.
Loveday ever alert though did well to retrieve the ball on the other side of the box. Showing great control he held the ball up well await Frizzel's overlapping run and then laid a great pass for the full back to run on to.
Frizzel's cross was low and hard towards the middle and there was Hayton once again trying to intercept only to slice the ball past his own keeper Wells once again. This time though there was no flag and the goal stood.
United came very, very close to making it three just before half-time with a brilliant move. Loveday once again the instigator on the left showing pace and control and as the Jarrow defence stood off him once again finding the overlapping Frizzel.
This time the low cross was fast and accurate with Lawton dummying the ball superbly to allow it to run on to Siyanbola who hit his first-time left foot shot from 8-yards well only to see Wells produce a superb reflex save.
Had it gone in it would have been one of the goals of the season and surely have given United an unassailable three-goal lead. That it didn't and allowed Jarrow to get to the dressing rooms only two down turned out be significant.
Not surprisingly Jarrow Manager Kennie Malia made two changes at half-time. Bringing Thomas Ions on for Harper and Mickey Annang-Colquhoun for Day. From the off, his players had obviously been read the riot attack.
Within two minutes of the restart they were back within a goal. Clark fouling Shodeinde wide left rather unnecessarily. Collins delivered the kick to the back post and Hughes did not get a strong enough hand to push the ball away.
The ball dropping to Hayton at the back post who nodded it into the six-yard box where Jonathan Bainbridge was on-hand to head it unopposed over the line from close range.
Jarrow were now back in the game and United became even bigger architects' of their own downfall by giving a disastrous equaliser away on 54 minutes. They were attacking but were forced back, Loveday playing a simple ball back to Wilkinson.
For some reason Wilkinson delayed on the ball and then was robbed of it by Shodeinde as he got tangled up. The ex-United striker speeding away into the Chester box before slotting the ball coolly past the advancing Hughes.
An awful goal for United to concede and an uncharacteristic and very rare mistake from the usually composed and error-free United Captain.
Worse was to come when Jarrow completed an unbelievable start to the second half and went in front on 60 minutes turning the game around in dramatic style. United allowed Hardie to get away on the left but he was stopped by Grimaud.
The full back putting the ball out for a throw-in that Hardie took quickly to Collins. He found space and time to cross low into the United area where Ions got across the defence hitting a firm left volley past Hughes from just outside the six-yard box.
A dramatic turnaround that shook United who took a while to recover as Jarrow settled the game and looked to dent any possible Chester fightback. But United did recover and come back into the game.
They won a corner on the right which Lawton delivered well to the back post for Wilkinson to arrive late to get a good header on but sent it wide from about 8-yards out.
Lawton then had a deep free kick that he delivered into the visitor's box where Keltie only half headed clear. Loveday picking the ball up cutting inside and shooting well from 20-yards but it was straight at Wells who saved easily.
Collins then went close for Jarrow when a low left foot shot from 20-yards flew past Hughes but was narrowly wide of the left upright. United made three changes looking to change the game around and kept pressing.
Loveday almost providing the equaliser for Siyanbola. His brilliant run past three defenders on the touchline saw him find space to send United's top scorer through on goal.
But Siyanbola was denied the chance to increase his tally for the season as Wells closed down the space and angle and made a great block from the striker.
Jarrow had another half chance when Hardie and Wilkinson competed for a long ball with neither getting possession the ball fell to Ions who turned and hit a good left foot shot from the edge of the box that was again straight at Hughes.
United then missed a glorious late chance to grab an equaliser when Keltie was finally booked for another foul on Siyanbola. Substitute Brad Hughes now the set piece man delivered to the back post.
Frizzel got up superbly and nodded the ball down into the path of Grimaud who was unmarked six-yards out but the defender turned midfielder showed a lack of composure and poor decision making as he smashed the ball well over the bar.
It was United's last chance as Jarrow saw out the final whistle to take the win and all three points. It hadn't looked likely at half-time with United two goals to the good but they were clinical in that 15 minute period when United presented gifts.
For Chester it was another sobering lesson in concentration and experience. For the second time in a week they had a two-goal lead against supposed better opposition and squandered the opportunity to go on and win.
It cost them a place in the Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup Quarter Finals after Boro Rangers came back and won on penalties. But this lead loss was more damning as United had a real chance to make a mark in the play-off race.
In the end though the 3 - 2 win for Jarrow kept them in the title hunt and gave United food for thought before another tough game in the Ernest Armstrong Second Division Cup this Tuesday against Yarm & Eaglescliffe at Billingham.
TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Reyhan Grimaud 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Dylan Robson 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Alex Clark 7. Nathan Conroy 8. Ben Gallagher 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Harley Lawton 11. Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12. Riley Everett - DNP 14. Brad Hughes (for Gallagher 71 mins) 15. Dan Robinson (for Conroy 80 mins) 16. Jet Fittolani (for Lawton 71 mins)
SCORERS : Wilkinson 36, Hayton (o.g.) 38
MAN of the MATCH : Charlie Loveday
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