by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 21st December 2024 Esh Winning 0 v 1 Chester-le-Street United
A superb performance once again on the road made it two wins in their last two League games both away from home for United. Add in the midweek Second Division League Cup win and it completed a great week for The Club.
Especially with the announcement that from next season Chester-le-Street United will become Park View AFC in a move that benefits the whole Club and creates the right pathway for players to progress.
That pathway is already getting United on the right avenue to success as their impressive season continues to unfold. Up to 9th in the table and just 4 points from the play-off positions with a lot of the season left to play.
Certainly United are showing a real resilience, toughness and togetherness as they continue to build and grow as a unit. This win also bringing them their 3rd clean sheet in a week as well as the three wins.
With games coming thick and fast it was nice to see Brandon Young returning from injury to take a place on the bench. Particularly as Ben Gallagher and Dom Hughes who had started in midweek being missing with injuries.
Dan Robinson was promoted from the bench to play at right back with Reyhan Grimaud moving into midfield and Charlie Loveday also recovering from a one-match injury returning to the starting XI.
On a cold, wild, windy day United kicked off attacking down the slope at Esh on a heavy difficult pitch. It certainly made the going awkward for both teams as they struggled to make any impact on each other's defences.
We had to wait 12 minutes for the first strikes on goal which came from the home side. Kal Coulthard from just outside the box saw his shot blocked by United Captain Dylan Wilkinson.
The rebound fell to Tom Merryweather who struck his left-foot 25 yard effort well but it was always travelling wide and James Hughes was able to watch if fly past his far post.
United had not had a meaningful attack in the first 20 minutes but when they did it brought the opening goal of the game. Alex Clark covering across well in defence and then sending a neat ball down the right line to find Robinson.
Robinson turned the ball neatly into the path of Loveday. He cut in superbly from the right going past three Esh defenders before curling a superb low left foot shot from just inside the area past the diving Taylor Bell for his 5th goal of the season.
The goal buoyed United who clicked into a higher gear and almost doubled their lead within two minutes. Jamie Frizzel playing a good ball from the back to find Stephen Siyanbola who struck his effort well from the edge of the box.
Bell though was alert to the effort and got down to safe comfortably. Esh at this time did look dangerous from set plays and long balls but the United defence was in mean mood and looking very solid.
United were almost in again when Siyanbola found Harley Lawton inside the box but the midfielder lost the chance of a shot on goal when trying to turn back onto his left foot when a right foot effort may have been the better option.
On 33 minutes Loveday who looked a danger every time he was on the ball was fouled 25-yards from goal in a central position as he tried to set-up a United attack. Michael Mallaburn took aim from the free kick but it flew well over the bar.
Minutes later United should have gone two-nil up. Wilkinson played a ball left to Nathan Conroy who drifted inside his marker and then curled a sublime pass between two Esh defenders freeing Siyanbola for a run on goal.
United's top scorer left his markers for dead but with only Bell to beat could only steer his 14-yard shot inches wide of the target. It was a glorious chance for United but unfortunately not taken.
Once again Esh's response came from a free kick about 10-yards inside the United half on Esh's attacking left. Kieron Parnaby taking it and hitting well to the back post where Merryweather stretching could only divert it wide of the goal.
It was enough to spark a response from Esh and there next attack was their best of the half. Hari Bondarenko getting down the right before delivering a great cross to the far post. Once again it was Merryweather getting on the end of it.
He got a good connection on his 8-yard header but the direction wasn't as good and Hughes was able to watch it go wide meaning that at the half-time break United led by a single goal.
A quiet start to the second half was ignited by United five minutes in when they had great chances to put the game to bed. Conroy opening up the Esh defence with a run from the left infield before finding Loveday with a lovely pass.
United's scorer though couldn't double his and his side's tally as he smashed his effort just over the bar from the edge of the area before he had another even better chance seconds later.
Again it was Conroy with the incisive through ball that put Loveday in the clear racing into the box and with only Bell to beat. The home keeper though did superbly well to spread himself and keep out Loveday at close quarters.
Esh were fortunate to still be in the game and that continued as United were profligate. Wilkinson winning a ball on the back line driving forward and then finding Conroy on the edge of the box.
The forward's well-hit shot deflecting off George Wilkinson for a corner. It was delivered by Mallaburn and almost feel to Frizzel but brave defending by Esh saw then scramble the ball clear.
United were forced into a change on 55 minutes with Grimaud hobbling off to be replaced by Young who immediately slotted into his midfield role as Chester kept going forward.
Another great chance went a-begging when Loveday found Siyanbola in the box and he spun away from his marker and as Bell came to meet him he squared to Conroy who looked like he had a tap-in.
But he hesitated trying to get the contact perfect and Bell recovered to whip the ball off Conroy's toes and keep his side in the game. Esh were having better possession now but their final ball lacked conviction until the 64th minute.
Bondarenko combining well with Elliot Judson to get a low ball into the Chester box. It fell to substitute Dan Pringle and as he turned he was upended by a rash tackle from Loveday who was back trying to help his defence out.
A forward's challenge perhaps but one that gave the referee no objection but to point to the spot and give the home side a glorious opportunity to level the match. A chance Parnaby failed to take.
His right-foot penalty was well struck to Hughes' left and the Chester keeper went the wrong way only for him and his team to be saved as the ball struck the post firmly and bounced to safety.
Esh continued to try and throw players forward looking for an equaliser but were leaving gaps at the back. One of these was almost capitalised on by United with a lightning counter attack led by Young.
He turned past his marker on halfway and sped away from the defence. Spotting Lawton breaking free he played a great ball into his fellow midfielder's path. Once again though a United player hesitated at the vital moment.
Bondarenko nipping in to clear the dangerous situation and conceding corner. Mallaburn taking it and swinging it to the back post where Frizzel got up but but his close range header just wide of the target.
United's fragile lead was then almost cancelled out by a double chance for Esh where only desperate last ditch defending saved Chester. A Parnaby free kick into the United box saw Hughes come from his line to claim but not getting there.
Lewis Heap though did and flicked a header over Hughes and on target. Lawton though was superbly placed and was able to head the ball off the line. The ball though fell to an Esh foot in a packed box and a shot was flashed goal wards.
This time it was Frizzel superbly placed for United covering the goal to once again get the ball away off the line and enable Chester to retain their slender lead. It showed how costly missed chances could be but after it all United still led.
Lawton had picked up a knock and was replaced by Kobe Bewicke for the last six minutes of regulation time. Bewicke dovetailing with Siyanbola in the front line with Conroy and Loveday.
In truth United's football on a difficult pitch was good and enabled them to control the remainder of the game especially with their defence standing firm and dealing with the often long-hit and hope balls forward from Esh.
Five minutes of injury time were added and United were given a marvellous chance to seal the deal in the final minute of that time when Bewicke chasing a loose ball inside the box was ceremoniously taken down earning a penalty.
Having won the spot-kick Bewicke claimed the ball to take it. He struck it firm but too straight and Bell was able to deflect the ball over the top with his dive forward. It did look as if the keeper had gone early and the referee's whistle did go.
However, it was not to signal a re-take but to actually end the contest with the spoils going to United who gained revenge for their earlier League defeat at home against the same opposition.
United have now gone to Esh twice. A team riding high in 4th place in the table and come away with a cup win on penalties and now all three League points. It really shows that on their day this young United side are a match for anyone.
It was also a superb result and confidence boost for the squad who now face another tough although very short away trip on Boxing Day. It's the 'Chester Derby' as United go to Chester Moor to take on Town in a festive cracker.
Both sides have played the same number of games. Both side's have the same number of points but Town courtesy of their one-goal better difference are a place better off. More than just local pride to play for then in a much-anticipated game.
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. Harley Lawton 11. Charlie Loveday
SCORER : Loveday 20 minutes
MEN of the MATCH : Charlie Loveday & Dylan Wilkinson. They couldn't be split on the votes cast!!!
Comments