by Jeff King
Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 5th October 2024 Chester-le-Street United 1 v 1 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion
A battle of two of the League's most in-form sides was possibly always destined to end in honours even and so it proved after a really entertaining, hard-fought, committed performance from both sides.
For United this was a point very well earned against a Ryton side that were unbeaten in 9 games across League, FA Vase and Durham County FA Challenge Cup. The League run in particular had lifted them to fourth in the table.
Chester on the other hand were on a run of five successive League wins including both of their last home games and their run had lifted them into the top ten of the Division.
United were unchanged from their previous win at Billingham Town but it was also nice to see both Riley Everett and Reyhan Grimaud fit enough to take a place on the Chester subs bench.
From the off it was clear to see Chester had a game on their hands as Ryton pushed them back from the off and although they didn't create much in the way of chances their possession was dominant in the first ten minutes.
On 10 minutes Joe Groves- Forbes overlapping on the right created the first decent chance of the game with a neat pass inside to Matty Hayton who fizzed a 22-yard effort inches wide of James Hughes' near post. A warning for United.
Then Hughes surprisingly for him made a poor clearance which went straight to Hayton who advanced to the edge of the United box before unleashing a shot that saw Hughes redeem the position with a very smart diving save.
United's first real attack was a sweeping move with Ollie Barnett playing a ball up to Stephen Siyanbola who moved it on to Charlie Loveday on the left. The Chester wide man then playing a lovely ball inside to Michael Mallaburn.
With Dan Robinson moving forward well into space the situation looked really promising for United but unfortunately Mallaburn's ball to try and open up the position for Robinson was poor and the chance was lost.
Ryton though continues their ascendancy and took the lead on 17 minutes with a poor goal from a Chester point of view. A long ball from ex-United left back Jack Ledger flicked off the top of Dylan Wilkinson's head into the United box.
With Jamie Frizzel not reacting to the path of the ball and Barnett unable to close Hayton down the striker was allowed to run into the centre of the box before neatly slipping a left foot finish beyond Hughes outstretched left hand.
It was almost 2 - 0 a couple of minutes later when Louis Calvert played a great through ball for Morgan Dart to run onto and away from the United defenders. He bore down 1-on-1 with Hughes but United's keeper saved the day for his side with a great block.
United almost snatched an equaliser in fortunate style when Mallaburn's overhit cross almost caught Brogan Colquhoun out in the Ryton goal. The keeper back peddling furiously to turn the ball over the bar from on his goal line.
Mallaburn's corner was well delivered finding it's target in Siyanbola but the big striker didn't get enough power on his 6-yard header and Colquhoun saved easily. The away keeper was not so lucky on 24 minutes as United stuck a super leveller.
Mallaburn's free kick being headed out for a corner by Jack Errington. The corner was also dealt with as a Ryton head cleared their lines from Mallaburn's corner. The ball coming out of the box and it was Robinson that saw his opportunity.
Running on to the loose ball he showed composure and surety as he lashed a tremendous 22-yard drive into the net without hesitation that simply flew past Colquhoun who had no chance of keeping it out.
That equaliser transformed a Chester side that grew in confidence and began to push forward with more confidence as they grew into the game. They almost went ahead on 36 minutes.
It came from a Mallaburn corner on the left which he swung into the back post. Wilkinson got up well and headed the ball dangerously across the six-yard box to the opposite post.
Siyanbola was there to head goal wards from 3 yards out only to see Colquhoun produce a stunning reflex save palming the ball away athletically to keep the game level.
Ryton just threatened to boil over a little bit as they were pressured at every opportunity by United. Calvert and their bench both picking up yellow cards before they were frustrated by the officials again.
A free kick just inside the Chester half saw Josh Skivington play a long ball that floated over the top of the United defence and Ryton skipper Errington arrived at the back post to sweep the ball home thinking he'd put his side back in front.
But he'd timed his run just a tad early and was correctly flagged offside by the Assistant and the goal was disallowed. United though finished the half on the front foot.
Wilkinson striding from defence into the Ryton half was upended 25 yards from goal as he looked to set something up. Mallaburn tried his luck from the free kick and saw it take a nick off the defensive wall and go just over the bar.
From his corner it was Wilkinson that had stayed up who got up but despite his 10-yard header being well one and firmly met it flew wide of the upright to send the side's in level at the half time whistle.
United brought Grimaud on at the start of the second half for Nathan Conroy and his influence helped his side make a good start to the second period. Loveday making a great run down the left to the byline before pulling the ball back.
Mallaburn did well to get on the end of the cutback but Scot Oldfield came to Ryton's rescue with a well-timed brave block to avert the danger. Ryton though were very much in the game and had a decent chance moments later.
Dart cutting in from the left to find Hayton inside the box with a sharp pass. Hayton controlled it well and then rolled the ball back to Skivington who crashed it just wide from about 12 yards.
Loveday was starting to get into the game and cause problems for the Albion defence. A good run down the left saw Groves-Forbes do well to stop his progress at the expense of a corner.
Mallaburn the accurate deliverer once again. This time his ball in found Grimaud who couldn't get his free header from 10-yards out on target much to the substitute's own disappointment.
Brandon Young then showed good determination and awareness to win a ball in midfield and then find Loveday on the left in space once again. This time Loveday used the decoy run of Frizzel who curled around him to cut inside himself before hitting a shot not far wide of the far post.
Loveday seemed to be United's man to possibly open up the Albion defence and again went close when found by Wilkinson's long diagonal free kick. His effort as he cut across the 18-yard box seemed to take a nick of a defender as it went just over the bar but no corner was awarded.
Young then spaced the Chester attack with a nice ball inside to Siyanbola who held it up well before releasing Robinson on the right. The full back not hesitating before crossing deep to the back post finding Loveday whose 10-yard header was wide.
Then a good attack from the visitors saw Ledger play a ball down the left to Calvert who in turn clipped a lovely ball inside the United box where Dart looked favourite to get on the end of.
But Robinson showing brilliant anticipation nipped in to shepherd the ball back to Hughes getting in front of Dart to snuff out the danger. At the other end it was Siyanbola that had the next chance of the game.
This time Grimaud and Young combining well in midfield to find Siyanbola just outside the box in a central position. His turn was good and created space for a clean strike at goal.
Unfortunately the build-up play and turn were not matched by the finish as his left foot shot lacked power and Colquhoun was able to get down and make a comfortable save.
As the game entered the final ten minutes Ryton upped the pace and pressure on the United defence. They almost pierced it on 81 minutes. Calvert releasing substitute Matthew Harrison inside the box.
Harrison only had Hughes to beat from about 12-yards out but these days that's easier said than done. Harrison did strike the ball well but Hughes once again spread himself superbly to keep the ball out of his net.
The resulting corner was cleared by United but the ball was picked up by Ledger who crossed to the back post finding Errington who from 8-yards out stretched to head at goal but couldn't get the ball on target.
Ryton should perhaps have taken all three points in injury time as they laid siege to the Chester goal. Ledger's chip into the box finding Hayton in space with a great chance but he lashed the game's final opportunity wide.
Had it gone it it would have been harsh on United who after a shaky start to the game had grown into it and matched their higher placed opposition throughout the game.
A point was perhaps one of the most pleasing ones they have taken this season given the quality of the visitors. It certainly shows United that they have nothing to fear in the division and can set their sights on the top end of the table.
A sixth game unbeaten sees them climb to 9th in the actual standings and 2nd in the current form table reflecting the way they've turned their season around since an inconsistent start to the campaign.
TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Dan Robinson 3.Jamie Frizzel 4. Ben Gallagher 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Ollie Barnett 7. Nathan Conroy 8. Brandon Young 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Michael Mallaburn 11. Charlie Loveday
SUBS : 12. Dylan Robson - DNP 14. Riley Everett - DNP 15. Kymani Severin (for Gallagher 62 mins) 16. Reyhan Grimaud (for Conroy 46 mins)
SCORER : Robinson 24 mins
MAN of the MATCH : Jamie Frizzel
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