by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup Third Round Tuesday 11th February 2025 Chester-le-Street United 2 v 2 Boro Rangers Boro Rangers Win 7 - 6 On Penalties
With seven minutes to go in the allotted 90 United weren't exactly cruising through to the League Cup quarter finals but they did lead First Division high-flyers Boro Rangers by two goals to nil.
Indeed until that last few minutes any neutral in the ground would have struggled to work out which team was second in the Ebac Northern League Division One and which was fifth in the Second Division. Such was United's performance.
But credit to the visitor's who stuck at their task were given a huge lifeline and grabbed it with both hands to take the tie to a penalty shoot-out. They then completed the job by taking the spot-kick lottery which saw them through.
United made two changes to their starting XI from the 0 - 0 draw they had played out at Bedlington Terriers with Harley Lawton and Ben Gallagher coming in and Jet Fittolani and Nathan Conroy dropping to the bench.
And it was Gallagher who almost gave United a sensational start inside the first minute. Charlie Loveday playing a lovely pass inside the box for Gallagher to run on to and hit a low left angled drive from about 14-yards out.
It looked destined for the bottom corner but Daniel Horner in the Boro goal got down superbly to turn the ball around the post with his left hand. Michael Mallaburn's first corner being headed out by Lloyd Evans.
His second was delivered to the back post where Dylan Wilkinson got free but couldn't direct his 8-yard header on target it flying well wide and the chance was gone.
It was though an encouraging start from United and they took confidence from it dominating their higher ranked opposition in the early stages as they looked well up for the tough task in front of them.
Jamie Frizzel did well to win a header in the left back position from a Rangers clearance and his firm connection sent Loveday scurrying down left as he sped down to the byline before pulling a danger ball back that Matty Lovatt cleared.
Mallaburn then swept a ball wide to Alex Clark coming into the Boro half to support his attackers. He hit a diagonal cross from the right into the Boro box that saw Horner come well from his line and punch away bravely in traffic.
United forced a corner on their attacking left won by Siyanbola off Lovatt. Mallaburn delivered and Frizzel nodded it down. Siyanbola tried to keep the ball in and looked clearly impeded by Evans but referee waved Chester's claims away.
Siyanbola though extracted a modicum of revenge on the Boro back four as he put United in front on 9 minutes with his twentieth goal of the season. Lawton doing superbly to cut in from the right before playing a ball across the six-yard box.
It's intended target was Loveday at the back post but Horner dived out to push the ball away but only straight into the path of Siyanbola who smashed it home with his right foot to give United a deserved lead.
Siyanbola as always was putting himself about and causing issues for the Boro defence gaining a free kick in an incident with Rangers skipper Steve Keenan who was booked for his challenge on the big striker.
A throw-in level with the penalty box gave United another opportunity. Robson threw it long, Loveday flicked it up in the air and Frizzel came in to get a header on target but it was straight at Horner who saved easily.
Once again it was Siyanbola who drew another foul on half-way that saw a Rangers player booked. This time Evans went in recklessly on United's number 9 and was perhaps a little lucky to only see a yellow card given for his late tackle.
Mallaburn delivered a long free kick from the right to the back post where Alex Clark got up well and looped a header over Horner but was unlucky to see it drop on the top of the cross bar and fall behind for a goal kick.
Mallaburn then played a good ball inside Keenan for Frizzel to race in towards goal. It looked a good chance but the covering Jack Lamb got back to thwart Frizzel's run at the expense of a corner. Mallaburn's delivery drifting too long and away.
Siyanbola continued to be battling and battering with both Rangers centre backs and earned himself a yellow card for a challenge on Evans. It didn't effect him and moments late he sent a rocket of a left foot shot narrowly wide from 20-yards.
Rangers had little answer at this stage. Closest they came to testing the Chester defence was when Reyhan Grimaud fouled Ash MacCarthy. Ben Turner playing the free-kick short to Owen Burns who whipped in a dangerous cross.
But the Chester defence was looking solid and alert and there was Clark to get in front of the dangerous Stuart Rose to clear the ball in fine style. It did lead to Boro starting to get into the game as it approached half-time.
Lawton fouling the attacking left back Callum Hickhan. Turner playing the free kick quickly down the line to MacCarthy who put in a great cross to find Lamb who's flick header beat James Hughes but flew not far wide of the far post.
It was the last real incident of note from a feisty first half that saw United good value for their 1 - 0 lead in a game where neither side were backing down or showing any lack of commitment.
With the winds at their backs Rangers certainly looked a brighter prospect as the second half opened. Tyler Goodman seeing space open up about 20-yards out to give him a good shooting opportunity that he took with a fierce hit.
Hughes though was up to the challenge diving to his left. The ball rebounding out to Rose but his follow-up effort was well blocked by Wilkinson who did well to cover the danger.
Then great combination play between Loveday and Robson saw the latter cross towards Siyanbola at the back post only for Evans to nip in and make a good clearing header before Siyanbola could pounce.
Boro were getting forward more in the second half looking to find the prolific Rose at every juncture. One ball into him inside the United box saw him try to turn past Wilkinson who stood firm to concede a corner.
Burns took it and the ball swung in dangerously towards the back post but Frizzel was on hand to help his side out with a good defensive header to clear the danger. The ball though falling to Goodman at the edge of the box.
His first time snap-shot was well hit and flew through the crowd but Hughes was in the right place at the right time and was able to make a fine save. United then made their first substitution with Robson going off and Fittolani coming on.
United had withstood some Rangers possession and pressure and were beginning to get back on top. Lawton finding Loveday on the left and he won a corner following a good tackle and cover from Keenan. The corner being cleared.
Then on the opposite flank Grimaud did well to come forward and feed Fittolani who's dangerous looking cross was put out for another corner by Hickhan. Mallaburn's kick to the back post just too high for Frizzel and Clark.
MacCarthy had looked lively for Rangers and one run down the left saw him cross a ball that Hughes had to palm away from under his own cross bar. It was Boro's no. 11's last contribution as he was replaced by Spencer Walker.
Walker getting involved immediately. Found by Burns he took a good touch and then found Rose with a good pass inside the box. Rose spun well on the ball but his finish was weak especially for a man with over 40 goals this season and Hughes saved easily.
On 62 minutes there was a big moment in the game. Walker had looked really lively since coming on and when found by Turner's astute pass he smashed a left foot effort that beat Hughes but cannoned back into play off the cross bar.
Goodman retrieved the loose ball and picked out a great run from Hickhan at the back post but the finish lacked conviction and direction as he shot wide from inside the six-yard box.
Then a long Hickhan throw in was flicked on by Lovatt and Hughes came to claim. Initially he spilled the catch but was alert and kick enough to dive quickly on the loose ball and snuff out any potential Boro chance.
Riley Everett had come on for United on 75 minutes to replace Lawton and within a minute was able to join in the celebrations as United scored their second of the night to double their lead.
Great play initially by Loveday saw him pick out Frizzel on the left who made a positive powerful run before getting his head up and squaring a ball towards the back post. As all good midfielders do, Gallagher timed his run superbly.
Coming in late on the right he at speed managed to compose himself before firing high past Horner into the roof of the net to give United a real chance of progressing in the tie.
Rangers were now throwing everything forward and United were under pressure as the game ticked inside the last ten minutes. Seemingly every time they cleared the ball it came straight back at them before Rangers were given a lifeline.
On 83 minutes the ball reached Hickhan just inside the Chester box on the left. He tried to turn inside Fittolani who seemed merely to stand his ground but Hickhan went down under the challenge and the well placed referee pointed to the spot.
Rose stepping up and sent his spot-kick decisively to the left of Hughes with United's keeper diving in the opposite direction to give Rangers late hope. Hope they took two minutes into injury time.
With United struggling to manage the game at a crucial time and not clearing their lines a corner fell just outside the box to Burns. He knocked the ball square to central midfield partner Turner who was about 22-yards out.
Turner unleashing an incredible first-time left foot effort that flew past Hughes and crashed into the United net off the underside of the cross bar. A cruel late blow for United but credit to Rangers resilience.
Rangers then almost snatched the game with an even later effort. A Hickhan long throw being met by Evans who's header beat Hughes but bounced to safety off the top of the cross bar.
United conscious of the impending penalty shoot-out took off substitute Everett and replaced him with noted penalty expert Conroy as the the time ticked down and the referee's whistle confirmed the spot-kick lottery.
Turner went first for Rangers and scored. Gallagher stepped up for United to level the shoot-out. It stayed that way as Hickhan converted and Conroy replied. Burns made it 3 - 2 and Mallaburn levelled. Next it was Rose only for him to see Wilkinson tie the shoot-out up.
Neither goalkeeper was really getting close to any of the kicks as James Field made it 5 - 4 and Siyanbola smashed his kick in to make it all square again. Jack Guy converting before Loveday pulled United all-square again.
Walker made it 7 - 6 and this time United couldn't reply as Frizzel put his effort well over the top to signal a very relieved Boro Rangers celebration and dejection for the United youngsters.
On the night United had given their all and had deservedly led the game. A decision that could have gone either way and a wonder strike in injury time gave them a penalty shoot-out opportunity that they grasped with both feet.
For United and indeed anyone that loses this way it was a bitter pill to swallow. But they must take confidence and solace for their performance. They played well on the night and more than matched a team sitting second in the division above.
TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Reyhan Grimaud 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Dylan Robson 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Alex Clark 7. Harley Lawton 8. Michael Mallaburn 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Ben Gallagher 11. Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12. Riley Everett (for Lawton 75 mins) 14. Dan Walton - DNP 15. Kymani Severin - DNP 16. Jet Fittolani (for Robson 58 mins) 17. Nathan Conroy (for Everett 90 + 5 mins)
SCORERS : Siyanbola 9, Gallagher 76 MAN of the MATCH : Ben Gallagher
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