by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League - Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup 2nd Round Tuesday 28th January 2025 Chester-le-Street United 2 v 1 Grangetown Boys Club
On paper this was an odds-on home victory in an all Second Division clash in the League Cup. Fifth placed United at home against twenty first placed Grangetown Boys Club. But this is cup football where anything could happen and nearly did.
The two side's clashed in The League way back in October on Teesside with United coming away from the first ever encounter between the two teams with a 2 - 0 away win. They were heavily favoured to make it a double on the night.
That they did in the end was unexpected even if it took unexpected late drama to get over the line against a determined dogged 'Boysie" who came and battled for the entire game.
United had gone into the game unchanged from the controversial loss in the League at Thornaby that had ended a 7-match run. The Chester Management giving the 11 who started that game a chance for redemption.
They certainly started in determined style pushing forward from the kick-off and forcing two early corners that came to nothing. The second earned by a great run by Jet Fittolani down the left.
His pace and trickery getting him to the by-line where he pulled a great ball back towards the waiting Stephen Siyanbola only for Liam Lawlor to make a superb interception to clear the danger.
A United free kick almost got them a breakthrough when Michael Mallaburn delivered from the inside right channel about 30 yards out. Dylan Robson throwing himself full length to flick a header towards goal.
The ball deflecting off Lawlor and going just over the bar. Mallaburn delivered with Grangetown almost causing their own downfall. The clearance only going as far as Robson who got a really firm header in from out 12-yards but it was too high.
United's pressure though paid off on 22 minutes as they took a deserved lead. A brilliant run from just inside his own half by Mallaburn right at the heart of the 'Boysie' defence saw him tripped by Michael McLaughlin 22-yards out.
Mallaburn stepped up and drove his free kick past the wall towards the bottom corner but Adam Lincoln in the visitor's goal got down well at the foot of his post to make a fine parry.
He did even better whilst still on the ground to block Dylan Wilkinson's follow-up but the ball fell nicely to Nathan Conroy who rifled it first time high into the Grangetown net for his seventh goal of the season.
United now looked in the mood. Fittolani doing well to dispossess his marker before playing the ball inside to Siyanbola who's brilliant flick-on found Conroy just outside the box. The forward smashed it goal wards and was unlucky to see it fly just wide.
Boys Club had shown little in attack but when Jamie Frizzel fouled Billy Nevitt on halfway it gave Sam Campbell the chance to hit a free kick deep into the United box. His target was McLaughlin.
The ball found him but his header from an excellent position was put well wide. Fortunately the Assistant's flag for offside spared McLaughlin's blushes before Grangetown went really close to an equaliser.
It was a lovely move down the left Shay Larkin playing a great ball down the line to release Tom Eglington. His instant accurate cross to the near post saw Jey Draper get across the United defence and flick a close range header inches over the bar.
A good United move saw Conroy play a ball down the right to release Charlie Loveday who in turn played the ball into the box for Siyanbola. He turned down the chance to shoot with his right foot trying to turn on tohis favoured left.
The slight delay enabled Lawlor once again to come to the rescue of his side as he got across to make a crucial block with the ball spinning into the grateful arms of Lincoln.
From the corner delivered deep to the far post by Mallaburn, Robson ghosted in on the blindside but on the stretch could only put his effort wide from close range. Boys Club were battling but should have gone two-down as half-time approached.
Frizzel freeing Fittolani on the left who delivered a superb cross into the middle where Siyanbola attacked the ball. Unfortunately despite being only 6-yards out and with the goal at his mercy he headed high over the bar.
United's last chance of the half came from a break from a rare Grangetown attack. Fittolani racing away with the chance to put Conroy through on goal. McLaughlin making an interception.
The ball though came back to Conroy who transferred it to Loveday just inside the left hand side of the box but his shot lacked the venom to trouble Lincoln who made a comfortable save meaning United only had a one-goal lead at the half.
The second half opened with more of the same. United pushing and probing forward and Grangetown getting as many men behind the ball as they could to frustrate United's efforts.
Conroy tried a through ball to release Siyanbola but Lawlor stepped across to intercept but only managed to lay the ball into the path of United's top scorer who instantly toe-poked it with power from the edge of the box.
The effort was on target and heading for the bottom left-hand corner of the net but Lincoln dived low and to his left to keep the ball out in fine style.
Then Loveday wasted a good chance to give his side some breathing space as he picked a ball up in midfield and sprinted into the box. He had Conroy and Siyanbola in acres of space free on his left if he'd squared the ball.
However he chose to shoot and his effort whilst well struck saw that man Lawlor once again in the right place at the right time to block it and keep his side in the game.
Siyanbola then created the next United chance with good work in the box before trying to pick out a teammate in the box. The ball actually deflecting off Eglington towards goal but Lincoln adjusted his position well to grab the ball well.
Grangetown were always in the game despite the best efforts of the Chester front men and especially Loveday, Siyanbola and Conroy who carved out the best opportunities for the home side.
Loveday playing a ball into Siyanbola's feet well inside the box. The big striker controlling well and then turning superbly to lay a pass to the onrushing Conroy. He hit a great left-foot shot from 12-yards that cannoned back off the left upright.
United began to make substitutions with Harley Lawton coming on for Siyanbola and Alex Clark for Mallaburn. Conroy being pushed centrally and Robson moving from centre back to midfield.
It was Lawton that had United's next opportunity being fouled just outside the box and stepping up to take the free kick that was in a dangerous position. He didn't though get his delivery right as he went for a curler that was well over the bar.
Conroy was continuing to cause problems and showed great footwork coming in from the left to beat two defenders before flashing a low left footer across the face of the goal that beat Lincoln but also the far post.
Then almost from nothing Grangetown grabbed an equaliser on 71 minutes showing the value of sticking around and being organised. Nevitt making a run towards the United box and being tripped by Robson.
Campbell chipped the ball to the back post where a United defender headed out but only to the edge of the box. The ball dropping to Larkin who hit a great first-time volley that flew past James Hughes' left-hand and levelled the game.
United should have regained the lead moments later. Frizzel sending Loveday away on the left who did well to retrieve at pace and then find Conroy inside the box. Conroy doing even better to lay the ball into the path of Robson.
The centre back now in midfield had a golden opportunity as he was just outside the six-yard box with only a scrambling Lincoln to beat. However, Robson snatched at the chance and blazed it inexplicably over the bar.
Loveday then brought the best out of Lincoln from fully 20-yards when he worked some great space before smashing a left-footer towards the top corner. The 'Boysie' keeper going full stretch to palm the effort away in superb style.
On 86 minutes with the visitor's hanging on to what they had and looking to take the tie to penalties skipper Aaron Bell felled Lawton just outside the box. The referee showing him a yellow card which was his second meaning a sending off.
Grangetown organised their wall to face Conroy's kick from a dangerous central position and they did it well as United's forward could only hit the player's in front of him and the ball was cleared.
The game drifted into injury time and it looked for all the world it was going to be decided by a penalty shoot-out until cometh the hour, cometh the man and that man was Conroy.
Two minutes past the 90 United launched another attack. Loveday spraying the ball wide to substitute Riley Everett who had come on for Dan Robinson. His low cross caused confusion in the box with the ball falling nicely to Conroy.
With no hesitation he picked his spot and smashed an unerring shot right into the top left hand corner of the net giving Lincoln absolutely no chance at all and sealing a late, late win for United.
It was a win that on the balance of play and chances created United did deserve although they were far from their best. Grangetown came and made it difficult for Chester with a spirited performance but Conroy's classy finishes were the difference.
The result takes United through to the last 16 of the competition where they will face high-flying Division 1 outfit Boro Rangers at home on Tuesday 11th February in what should be a cracker of a tie.
TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Dan Robinson 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Reyhan Grimaud 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Dylan Robson 7. Nathan Conroy 8. Michael Mallaburn 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Harley Lawton 11. Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12. Brandon Young - DNP 14. Riley Everett (for Robinson 88 mins) 15. Dom Hughes (for Fittolani 77 mins) 16. Alex Clark (for Mallaburn 66 mins) 17. Harley Lawton (for Siyanbola 60 mins)
SCORERS : Conroy 22, 90 + 2
MAN of the MATCH : Nathan Conroy
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