by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 4th January 2025 Chester-le-Street United 3 v 0 Chester-le-Street Town
The youngsters of United rang in the New Year in some style with a Derby Day demolition of their neighbours Town at The Ford Quarry Hub. In one of only two games to survive the weather on the day, United took a massive step forward in their hunt for a play-off place.
Going into the festive fixtures Town were a place above United. Coming out of three quick fixtures in a short space of time United are now two places and six points better off. They definitely earned their bragging rights for the moment.
Both sides were missing key players through suspensions and injuries. United having no Harley Lawton, Brandon Young nor Ben Gallagher available for central midfield duties.
It meant a return to the starting XI for Reyhan Grimaud and Nathan Conroy with a slight change in formation as Conroy dropped into a #10 role, Jet Fittolani in an attacking wide position and Grimaud holding in midfield alongside Michael Mallaburn.
United too a little while to settle into the new formation and it's fair to say Town made the brighter start to the game almost taking the lead with barely three minutes played. The lively Bailey Judson cutting in from the right, waltzing past a couple of challenges and then from just inside the box curling a great left foot shot that beat James Hughes in the United goal but clipped the top of the bar and went over.
Town were certainly pressing and had more possession early on and trying to get the ball in behind the resolute United defence. United's attacking options being restricted to a couple of overhit through balls that were easily dealt with.
United's first meaningful attack. Charlie Loveday made great ground on the left before cutting into midfield and sending a great ball to the overlapping Dan Robinson. His cross was just too high for Siyanbola as the ball glanced off his head.
Conroy retrieved laying it off to the onrushing Michael Mallaburn but his finish lacked authority from 12 yards as he fired well wide. It was Judson again who was looking dangerous for Town who had the next effort.
Once again cutting in from the right onto his left foot he got another good strike in from just inside the box that saw Alex Clark get a good block in before clearing United's lines.
Then Kevin Raine brought a ball out of defence and with nothing on in front of him launched a very ambitious 40-yard effort that flew well wide of the United goal with Hughes untroubled.
Town went close again with a long ball finding Joel Pearson who flicked it on to Kieran Hall inside the United box but although his lobbed volley beat Hughes it was just wide of the post.
United though responded well and went ahead on 16 minutes with a goal against the run of play. Robinson with a throw-in from the right finding Conroy who in turn released Fittolani.
His shot from the edge deflected off a Town defender and straight into the path of the unmarked Siyanbola who showed great composure and swept the loose ball past Alex Lawrence with his left foot from 12-yards.
The goal naturally buoyed United who stepped up a gear and took full control of the game. Conroy doing brilliantly to beat two defenders to create space for an effort from the edge of the box that Lawrence did really well to get down to and hold.
United now completely in the ascendency and doubled their lead on 23 minutes after Siyanbola won a corner on the left off Raine. Mallaburn whipped the kick into the six-yard box where Dylan Wilkinson flicked it on.
The flick was met by Siyanbola showing great alertness close in and he bundled the ball over the line from point blank close range and United were now in full control of the game.
It was almost three and a hat trick for Siyanbola as well when he received a ball from Mallaburn and turned Matty Soulsby before striking a great effort from 14-yards that Lawrence did brilliantly to block with his feet.
Town were being totally restricted and contained by United's defence and midfield as they tried to respond. Soulsby hitting another long-range 35-yarder well over the top before Pearson's lovely cross from the left was well cleared by Wilkinson.
A long diagonal free kick from the right to the left hand side of the box saw Jamie Frizzel get up well to head down in the box towards Siyanbola but Raine just go their first to clear for a corner. Mallaburn fizzing a low delivery across the box that no-one was able to get a touch on.
With a couple of minutes to go before the half time whistle United were unlucky not to go 3 - 0 ahead. Mallaburn put Siyanbola away in the inside right position. he did well to hold off his marker and lay the ball back to the waiting Fittolani.
The Australian's first time effort from just inside the box was superbly struck but inches too high as it cannoned back into play off the cross bar and was hacked clear by the desperate Town defence.
It was the last action of the first 45 minutes which had started well for Town but when United went one-up after 16 minutes they went on to dominate as well as doubling their lead.
United continued their dominance as the second half unfolded. Mallaburn putting in a dangerous right wing cross that Soulsby headed out for a corner. Mallaburn again delivering low to find Siyanbola who flicked goal wards.
Soulsby was in the right place for Town though to clear at the expense of another corner that Mallaburn delivered deep and Town were able to clear their lines from. Then it was Loveday on the left putting a good cross into the Town box.
Siyanbola helped it on to Fittolani who saw his goal bound effort well blocked. Then Loveday set up another great United attack with excellent footwork to find Fittolani on the edge of the box.
Fittolani laying the ball off to Conroy on the right just inside the box and he hit a lovely effort that beat Lawrence but flew inches wide. Town to their credit did try to respond and almost pulled a goal back.
Josh Akal setting up Pearson centrally just outside the box and his terrific low drive saw Hughes go full stretch low to his right to make a great save. The Assistant's flag did go up for offside so if the effort had gone it it may well not have counted.
On 56 minutes United withdrew the limping Conroy and sent on Kobe Bewicke in his place as they continued to push forward. They did slacken off a little but once they adjusted Bewicke was unlucky with an effort that was well blocked by Raine.
United's pressure finally paid off on 65 minutes when they got a well deserved third. Bewicke won a free kick some 40 yards from goal. Mallaburn floated the ball to the back post where Frizzel once again got up well to nod it down.
Siyanbola was in first but as he turned the ball was blocked falling to Grimaud who from close range lashed it home high into the net. The ball may well have deflected slightly off Siyanbola who Town claimed was in an offside position.
But after a very quick check with his Assistant the Referee was happy with the goal which was credited to Grimaud and he pointed to the centre circle to award the third United strike.
United were no rampant. Bewicke doing well to win a ball and then put Loveday away and running at the Town defence. He drew the defence and then slipped Siyanbola in on goal but his right foot effort was brilliantly blocked by Lawrence.
Frizzel then joined in the attacking party with a great run down the left which was only checked by a great tackle from Town substitute Tom Scothern at the expense of a corner.
Mallaburn again the deliverer hanging a very dangerous in-swinger just under the Town bar where Lawrence did very well to palm away under great pressure from Clark and Wilkinson.
Robinson then did superbly to first of all win a challenge just inside the Town half and then control the ball to put Loveday through on goal. The speedy wide forward driving hard at the Town goal.
Loveday at an angle drove the ball well towards Lawrence's near post but the Town keeper did well to get his angles right and parry the effort in fine style. Loveday was by now the scourge of the Town defence and running them ragged.
Dispossessing Joe Abrahart easily he made another incisive run down the right before crossing to Fittolani who cut inside his marker and fired in a shot that went inches wide with Lawrence beaten.
Siyanbola should perhaps have had his hat-trick goal and United's fourth in the closing minutes which would have been well deserved. Hughes' long clearance from his own box saw Siyanbola outmuscle Raine as he burst into the box.
He looked a certain scorer as he controlled the ball well before firing it on target only to see Lawrence once more come to his side's rescue with another wonderful one-on-one save to avoid further embarrassment.
United puffing the celebration cigar by making four substitutions in the dying seconds to give all their squad a run-out and to enjoy the derby experience and revel in a superb win in front of an excellent crowd of 385.
The final whistle in the end couldn't come quick enough for Town who suffered their second defeat in a week at The Ford Quarry Hub to make it three games without a win.
United on the other hand have now overtaken their town rivals and moved six points clear of Town and within three points of the play-off positions. A superb run of form from the young United side now stretches to six unbeaten in the League.
There could still be bumps along the road but right now confidence is high, there is a real belief and togetherness in the camp and they're playing great football at both ends of the pitch as they continue to progress in fine style.
TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Dan Robinson 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Reyhan Grimaud 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Alex Clark 7. Nathan Conroy 8. Michael Mallaburn 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Jet Fittolani 11. Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12. Kobe Bewicke (for Conroy 56 mins) 14. Dom Hughes (for Loveday 90 mins) 15. Dylan Robson (for Robinson 90 mins) 16. Kymani Severin (for Fittolani 90 mins) 17. Keane Mitchell (for Grimaud 90 mins)
SCORERS : Siyanbola 16, 23 mins Grimaud 65 mins
MEN of the MATCH : The Whole Team!
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