by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 30th November 2024
Chester-le-Street United 2 v 3 Horden CW
For the second time this season United took on the League 2 leaders Horden and fell to a late, late winner from The Marras. A result that United did not deserve after an excellent performance throughout the 90 minutes.
It meant Horden extended their impressive unbeaten league run to 20 games whilst United have now lost 3-in-a-row. However, Chester should take solace if not reward in the fact they dominated the game for long periods.
But in the end the tough know how to tough it out and perhaps Horden's combative experienced line-up had just a little bit too much savvy in game management to thwart United.
United made one change from the side that had lost a fortnight previous to Yarm & Eaglescliffe with top scorer Stephen Siyanbola coming back in following suspension and Dom Hughes dropping to the bench.
There was a first appearance in senior Chester colours for attacking midfielder/wide man Jet Fittolani who had flown in from Melbourne, Australia two weeks prior to commence his UK playing career and who was also on the bench.
United opened the brighter and on 4 minutes created the opening chance. Siyanbola flicking a header into the path of Brandon Young advancing well from midfield but he drove his 22-yard effort well over the bar.
Horden countered when a left wing cross from Ben Henderson just evaded Jack Pounder's stretch in the middle of the United box and flashed away to safety.
On 7 minutes United had a glorious chance to take the lead. Reyhan Grimaud playing a lovely ball from the back to send Dan Robinson away on the right. He found Charlie Loveday's who intelligent inside run created space.
He then switched the ball to the left hand side of the box where NAthan Conroy controlled the ball beautifully before showing great footwork to go past Joe Osborne and give himself a clear sighting of goal from 10-yards out.
Conroy went for the top corner curler and was only inches away from hitting the target as the ball beat Horden keeper Andy Fletcher but was just too high to find the net.
Ex-United skipper Taylor Campbell then showed one of his skills delivering a dangerous free kick into the heart of the United area. The ball deflecting off Grimaud straight to Dan Flounders but his instant 12-yard volley was straight at James Hughes.
Henderson was looking a real handful early on for the United defence and went close with a low right foot drive from just outside the box after cutting in cleverly past Robinson on the left. His effort flying just wide of Chester's far post.
A good deep throw by Jamie Frizzel saw Siyanbola once again win a header that he flicked into the path of Loveday. He advanced to just inside the box before striking a good effort at goal that Flounders did bravely to block.
United though did take the lead on 13 minutes and it was the Loveday/Siyanbola combination that brought the game's opener. Ben Riding getting the ball from Fletcher inside his own box and trying to play out from the back was robbed by Loveday.
United's wide man could perhaps have finished himself but spotting Siyanbola in even more space he squared the ball across six-yard box where the big striker gleefully side-footed home with Fletcher stranded by his defender's mistake.
The Chester lead though was short lived as Horden equalised within two minutes. A long punt down the middle was misjudged by Robinson allowing Henderson to control the ball before sliding a ball inside the box to Philly Angus.
The angle was tight but the distance wasn't and as Hughes slid out to try and block Angus he deftly dinked the ball over the Chester keeper and into the far corner of the net.
United's response was a low ball through the heart of the middle from the back by Captain Dylan Wilkinson to find Siyanbola on the edge of the box. He cleverly turned Luke Naylor but his left foot finish lacked power and Fletcher saved easily.
A long throw from Riding, a tactic that Horden used a lot, saw Wilkinson's header clear the box but the ball fell to Chris Wallace who struck a low drive that deflected just wide. Campbell's corner into the six-yard box being well claimed by Hughes.
Then it was a United free kick taken by Michael Mallaburn that almost produced a second goal for Chester. He swung it to the back post where Frizzel nodded it into the six-yard box but on the stretch Young could only push it wide.
However, United did regain the lead on 31 minutes with a lovely goal. Wilkinson playing a great ball into the inside left channel that saw Siyanbola control well and then spin away from Naylor.
He then showed good composure and awareness to square the ball across the box and Harley Lawton was on hand to sweep it home from just outside the six-yard box. A deserved lead for United.
A break in the play unfortunately ensued though. Before the game could kick off again the referee was alerted by his assistant to an incident on the touchline involving what appeared to be visiting supporters.
After a lengthy stoppage which was dealt with by the match officials the game was eventually restarted to the satisfaction of all and once again Horden struck back quickly.
There were 39 minutes showing on the clock when following a Horden attack the ball was only half cleared by United to the right and picked up by Robbie Bird who delivered a great cross that Riding got up to bullet a header home from 6-yards.
Harsh on United who's momentum had clearly been slowed by the stoppage although they will be disappointed by the way they allowed Horden to take advantage of their poor defending and marking.
The impressive Henderson then showed good skill to twist and turn just inside the Chester box before firing in a low drive that Hughes had to get down to quickly but in doing so made the save look easy.
Right on the stroke of half-time Horden skipper Jack Pounder enflamed both sides with a late challenge on Mallaburn that earned him a booking. Words were exchanged as the side's left the field with the visitor's very much on the offensive.
After a fiery first half on and off the pitch the second half the second 45 minutes looked to be set for more of the same. In the end it was a relatively tame affair until very late on.
Horden were the better side early in the second half as Angus put prolific scorer Pounder in on goal but the normally reliable marksman screwed his effort wide from a good position.
Horden's double long throw threat saw a launch from Flounders caused United problems in their box and once again they only cleared their lines partially. Riding getting to the ball first to flash a low left footer inches wide from 20 yards.
Mallaburn was anchoring the Chester midfield superbly well allowing others to flow forward but at the same time showing his eye for a searching pass as well as the short delivery.
One excellent diagonal ball switched from the middle of the park finding Conroy wide on the right. Once again the big forward showed superb ball control to dance along the byline before delivering a low cross.
It looked destined for Siyanbola at the back post but Fletcher in the Horden goal took the unusual but effective route of hacking it clear with his feet after he intercepted the attempted cross.
United replaced Conroy to give Fittolani his debut on the right and also switched things around at the back with Grimaud coming across to right back as Robinson was replaced by Riley Everett.
Both players fitting in seamlessly to the United effort and showing that Chester have competition for places and a bit more strength in depth. Horden though began to get on top as the minutes ticked down.
Another Flounders long throw deep into the United box flicked off a couple of heads and looked to be drifting in to the net at the far post. Hughes though showing speed and athleticism to get across his line to scramble the ball clear.
Hughes then went full length to his left to palm away Pounder's crisp 22-yard left footer and then recover brilliantly to get in front of Henderson to block the follow-up from close range.
Horden brought on 'super sub' Dave Doughty inside the last 10 minutes to see if he could find a winner for his side and lo and behold he did in very controversial circumstances. A scramble ensuing in the United box on 87 minutes.
Chester failed to clear their lines but Young went down injured under a challenge inside the box with bodies all around him. It looked a significant injury and Chester looked distracted. But the referee allowed play to go on and Horden took full advantage.
Doughty on hand to sweep a loose ball not far from where Young was lying into the net past a helpless but incensed Hughes who was booked for his protests at the goal being awarded.
United physio Lewis Pendleton was also dismissed from the field after coming on uninvited to attend to the stricken Young and getting involved with the referee. But the controversy didn't end there.
United poured forward and Lawton was upended right on the edge of the Horden box by Osborne who had already been booked. The referee was very decisive in pointing to the spot although it looked as if Lawton was fouled just outside the box.
The referee though waved away the Horden protests and then was persuaded to discuss the incident with the assistant who had seemingly agreed with the original decision as she moved towards her penalty position.
After discussion the referee changed the decision and gave the free kick inches from the 18-yard line. Mallaburn stepping up and driving his effort into the defensive wall. It came back to him but he blazed the follow-up over.
The final whistle went not long later and United's players and management cut a frustrated and disappointed figure at the end. Horden meanwhile celebrated another win that extended their unbeaten run and kept them top of the table.
The consolation for United is that once again they showed that they could live with the very best in the Division. Horden are not on such a run without reason and do look a very good bet for honours this season with their style and creativity.
However, they knew that just like the first game between the two sides back in August they'd had to stretch every sinew and exert every effort to get over the line against a United side that deserved at least a share of the spoils.
TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Dan Robinson 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Michael Mallaburn 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Reyhan Grimaud 7. Nathan Conroy 8. Brandon Young 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Harley Lawton 11. Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12. Riley Everett (for Robinson 64 minutes) 14. Dom Hughes - DNP 15. Jet Fittolani (for Conroy 64 minutes) 16. Ben Gallagher - DNP
SCORERS : Siyanbola 13, Lawton 31
MAN of the MATCH : Michael Mallaburn
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