by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 7th September 2024
Jarrow 0 v 1 Chester-le-Street United
Often this season United have played well but left the field after 90 minutes with nothing to show for their efforts. Last Saturday was not one of those days. A superb all-round team performance resulted in a great win and 3 well-earned points.
Their victims a Jarrow side that were sitting pretty in second place in the league and had been scoring goals for fun. On the evidence of this game, result and performance United need fear no-one in the Division.
From back to front to bench and back to the front again every player that graced the lush Perth Green turf put in a shift. It was a display full of committed togetherness as well as no little ability and confidence that completed a great week.
United's starting line-up saw three changes from the side that had also won on the road the previous Tuesday against Billingham Synthonia. Jamie Frizzel coming in for Ollie Barnett at left back with Barnett dropping to the bench.
Harley Lawton as expected was out through an ankle/metatarsal injury and Kymani Severin was not available also. Tuesday night's match-winner Brandon Young replacing Lawton despite a severely strapped wrist.
Severin's place was taken by the patient Michael Mallaburn who after not starting at Billingham had volunteered for additional match fitness in The Reserves on Wednesday and was rewarded with a place back in the starting XI.
United started brightly and were awarded a free kick inside when Charlie Loveday's trickery out wide on the left was only halted by a Jack Armstrong foul. Mallaburn swung the free hit to the back post.
Riley Everett came steaming in attacking the ball with purpose but from within the six-yard box couldn't keep his half volley down and it flew over the bar to safety. Addis Dore was then fouled wide on the left by Chris Brennan.
Once again Mallaburn delivered but this time Jarrow keeper Liam Blair was more aware and came from his line to claim the ball well before any Chester player could get to it.
The much vaunted Jarrow front two finally got going when a long ball from the back was controlled well by Levi Collins who advanced into the United area. He tried to find his partner upfront, ex-Chester striker Benji Shodeinde.
However, the ball was just too long and a mixture of a soft shot or misplaced pass from Collins rolled wide of James Hughes' left hand post. This sparked a little bit of possession for the home side.
Everett conceded a free kick for a foul on Shodeinde. Collins took it but Mallaburn back helping his defence headed it out for a corner. Collins again the deliver and this time Brennan won a header about 8-yards but sent it wide.
United almost snatched the lead on 16 minutes with a lovely move. Mallaburn with a ball down the line that saw Dore get the better of home skipper Nick Little. Dore pulling the ball back from the by-line into the path of the late arriving Young.
The midfielder's first time close range effort was well struck and beat Blake but cannoned back into play off the post and was hacked clear by Kian Parker. Chester were playing some good football and looking lively.
Good play on the left by Dore saw him find Loveday inside. He in turn passed on to Ben Gallagher who let flew from 25-yards out but although well struck his effort was always going over the bar.
On 22 minutes United really should have gone in front. From a Jarrow corner a strong clearing Everett header was picked up by Loveday who controlled and then played a delightful ball over the defence and Dore was away and in on goal.
Unfortunately as Blake advanced to cut down the angle Dore perhaps chose the wrong option going for the lofted finish and put too much on it seeing it flew just over the bar.
It was an open game with Jarrow looking to play in behind the United defence to utilise their pace up front. Skipper Dylan Wilkinson and Everett though standing firm and dominating that side of the ball.
At the other end United through Gallagher, Young, Mallaburn and Loveday in front of the driving Reyhan Grimaud always looked dangerous. A break left by Loveday saw him pull the ball back back beautifully to Mallaburn in a great position.
His shot was well struck towards goal but to his and United's frustration the ball was blocked by his own team mate Gallagher and fell to Little who crashed it forward sending Collins in on goal at the other end but he shot just wide from the edge of the area.
Jarrow's best piece of football saw Ryan Hardie do well to come across the middle of the pitch to find Callum Johnston on the left. Johnston turning inside well to create a shooting chance but the angle was against him as he hit his shot straight at Hughes who held comfortably.
The game was a little stop-start with both side's gaining corners or free kicks but being unable to take advantage with defences playing well. It was pretty even and a definite contrast of styles.
Mallaburn then found Loveday with a long diagonal ball and the forward won a corner off Armstrong. Mallaburn and Loveday working a short corner routine that led to the latter trying his luck from 22-yards but his effort lacked power and Blake gathered easily.
Another Jarrow free kick conceded by Wilkinson on Shodeinde saw Collins deliver dangerously into the area with Hughes coming to claim. Little though got there first but could only direct his under pressure header over the bar.
Jarrow's best chance of the half came from another Collins corner. This time he picked out Hardie unmarked about 10-yards out but he couldn't keep his header down and it flashed narrowly over the bar.
Despite United having more possession and the clearer chances Jarrow did finish the half on the front foot. Johnston finding Collins who had his shot well blocked by Jamie Frizzel who went down after his defensive effort.
It was a hamstring injury and just before half time still couldn't continue and was replaced by Barnett. The half ended with another Collins free kick that Everett did well to block and control. The ball falling to Johnston who fizzed it over from 25-yards.
It brought an end to a half where United really should have gone to the dressing rooms in front but also knew they had to concentrate in defence as Jarrow looked dangerous at times.
As the teams lined-up for the second half Chester withdrew Dore who was limping and replaced him with Stephen Siyanbola. Siyanbola immediately began to cause problems for the Jarrow defence.
On 53 minutes he was found by Gallagher and cut in well on his left foot but elected to square the ball to Loveday instead of shooting. Loveday also didn't get a shot away and instead found Mallaburn who did beat Blake with his shot only to see Little clear off his own line.
United though did make the breakthrough a minute after Mallaburn was denied. Barnett played the ball down the left to Loveday who turned it delightfully into Siyanbola's path. The striker turning well and getting away from Brennan.
He controlled the ball well and then from a tight angle slid the ball between the advancing Blake's legs and into the far corner of the goal to give his side a deserved lead. The confidence was now flowing through the Chester ranks.
A superb long ball through the Jarrow midfield and defence from Everett found Siyanbola in the inside left channel. Once again he held off his marker before squaring to Gallagher just inside the box.
The breaking midfielder struck a good effort goal wards only to Josh Willis get in front of the shot and block bravely. Then it was Grimaud bursting forward from midfield to unleash an excellent 25-yard rising drive that Blake had to dive full length to his right to keep out.
United's endeavour to look for a second to kill off the game almost proved costly. Dan Robinson driving forward from right back only to lose his footing slightly and present the ball to Evan Whittle who moved it forward quickly to Hardie.
Jarrow suddenly had a four-on-three break but Hardie with men in support either side went for the shot from the edge of the box but didn't trouble Hughes with a high off-target effort.
Siyanbola then battled superbly on the right to win a ball off the Jarrow defence before releasing Robinson. His right wing cross was well intentioned and saw Loveday meet the ball on the bounce with a good header that just went over.
Jarrow returned the favour with a left wing cross from deep that saw Shodeinde get above the defence to head for the near post but Hughes stepped across smartly and made an easy save.
United went close when Barnett nodded a Mallaburn corner down into a dangerous area but Everett couldn't direct his 14-yard effort on target and lifted the chance over the bar.
Good pressure was coming from United now and when Robinson's right wing cross wasn't cleared convincingly Loveday pounced but once again a reasonable opportunity failed to make Blake work as Loveday's effort was too high.
If a goal was coming for the home side it seemed that Collins or Shodeinde or both would be involved. That almost came true when Collins on the right checked back inside and delivered a lovely left wing cross.
It found Shodeinde about 8-yards from goal who did well to get up and win a header but he couldn't direct it on target and it didn't trouble Hughes.
Nathan Conroy who had been in fine scoring form for The Reserves and Youth Team midweek had been given a place on the United bench which he left with nine minutes to go to replace the industrious but tiring Young.
It lead to a moment which will have United reviewing their VEO footage very closely to try and work out how they didn't double their lead on 83 minutes. Siyanbola clean through on goal beat Blake with a low drive that came back off th post.
The loose ball falling to Loveday inside the six-yard box with Blake on the floor. Loveday getting his effort on target only to see Brennan somehow scramble it clear off the line.
Conroy retrieved and then took two defenders out of the game with a beautiful turn before he laid the ball back to Loveday who this time beat keeper and defenders alike from 5-yards out but unfortunately was inches wide with his shot.
Would those misses see United pay the penalty? Not quite but they were given two late scares. Firstly substitute Simon Farrier hit a half-volley wide from a good position after getting on the end of Whittle's cross.
Then United were indebted to keeper Hughes deep into injury time as he made the save that secured all three points for his side. Chester had been on the attack but the ball was hacked clear by Evann Jardine and found Collins in the clear.
It looked like an equaliser all the way as last season's divisional top scorer bore down on Hughes. But the United keeper timed his advance perfectly and then spread himself superbly to make a brilliant block just inside the area.
The last action of a great United performance showing their strength right through the team and enabling them to take their fifth win of the season on the road and their second in five days.
A win that took them to 15 points for the season and move to 15th place in the table. More importantly it clearly showed that United can hold their own with any team in the League on their day as they continue to show potential and progress.
TEAM : 1 James Hughes 2 Dan Robinson 3 Jamie Frizzel 4 Reyhan Grimaud 5 Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6 Riley Everett 7 Michael Mallaburn 8 Brandon Young 9 Addis Dore 10 Ben Gallagher 11 Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12 Ollie Barnett (for Frizzel 43 mins) 14 Stephen Siyanbola (for Dore 46 mins) 15 Nathan Conroy (for Young 81 mins)
SCORER : Siyanbola 54 mins
MAN of the MATCH : Riley Everett
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