by Jeff King (with thanks to Colin Wotherspoon)
Wearside League Division 1 - Wednesday 21st August 2024
Chester-le-Street United Reserves 3 v 0 Belmont United
A week after a disappointing home loss to Durham City, United's young reserves took on third top Belmont United. Belmont who had defeated Durham City 5 - 1 just last Saturday. It look a daunting prospect for the youngsters.
Particularly as United's First Team were also in action on the same night in The Northern League at Horden. It meant resources were stretched and some players having to play in positions they were not accustomed to.
However, the team rose to the occasion magnificently and were excellent throughout the 90 minutes as they took a superb victory showing their character and determination as well as their ability.
It was a win that moved them up to seventh in the table and shows exactly what they are capable of and augurs well for not just their own progress and potential but in the project that is Chester-le-Street United.
United took the lead in the first half on 42 minutes when captain when Olly Dixon burst into the box from wide left and cut the ball back to pick out the on rushing Leo Fasuan who guided the ball brilliantly into the bottom corner.
That lead was created after strong defensive play throughout the first 45 minutes highlighted by two vital contributions by 16-year-old goalkeeper Louie Aldus who made one brilliant save from a long range effort tipping it over the bar in superb style before pulling off a great penalty save on 35 minutes when he dived low to his right to turn away the spot-kick.
Into the second half and United's second on 54 minutes was a great counter attacking goal. They got the ball forward to front player Evan Cubby who held the ball up well and then slipped a superb pass onto a great cross field run from Dixon.
The skipper showed great desire and composure to run with the ball and then advanced into the box and lifted it over the on coming keeper to put Chester deservedly 2-0 in front.
The 3rd goal arrived five minutes or so later when right full back Jonathan Beattie made a great run down the right hand side decided not to take on the cross but cut inside instead and was brought down just inside the box.
Cubby showing great courage and excellent cool composure to kept his head and sending the keeper the wrong way to put United 3-0 up and enabled them to control the rest of the game, seeing it out to pick up a great three points.
Head Coach was naturally delighted with his charges as well as very proud of their efforts on the night.
"It was a brilliant reaction from the young reserve lads tonight. We spoke about the basics of football that we did not do second half v Durham and to a man responded really well tonight."
"The back 4 stayed strong and dealt with any long balls into our box something we have struggled to do at times in games!. Our young 16 year old keeper was excellent deservedly getting his first clean sheet."
"We spoke at half time about how many times we do well in the first period then don’t turn up after the break but tonight was different and from the whistle on the second half I knew tonight was going to be different."
"Tonight the lads moved the ball well scored 3 very good goal regarding build up play and better decision making in the final third but also just as important showed a real desire to head and block anything that came in around our box."
"Our young keeper was excellent and he also gained valuable experience against much older lads, our back 4 defended superbly when we needed them too, our midfield 3 at times handled the ball well and gave us great energy and legs going forward."
"Evan Cubby worked his socks off scored one goal and played a big part in Olly Dixon’s goal, and our two wide players in Olly and Harvey Lawrence where a real threat all night in the wide areas and worked just as hard in their defensive duties."
"Overall I could not be happier with this young group of lads tonight they showed great character to go along with good football which resulted in deservedly taking all 3 points from a side sitting second top in Division 1."
Management Man of the Match - Dylan Robson
Comments