Slack City Throw Away 2 Goal Lead
By Simon Dutton January 5 2004
Mark Wright saw his team throw away a two goal lead at the Deva Stadium on Saturday as plucky Gravesend fought back to earn a point.
Mark Wright saw his team throw away a two goal lead at the Deva Stadium on Saturday as plucky Gravesend fought back to earn a point.
If Chester fail to win automatic promotion this season, they will look back upon games like this and realise why. A brace from Daryl Clare had the Blues coasting but a second half loss of concentration means that Hereford are now 4 points behind City with a game in hand.
Only one change was made from the team that defeated Leigh 6-2 on New Years Day, McIntyre was serving a suspension, which forced Wright to employ Michael Twiss in the unfamiliar position of left wing back.
The Blues carried on where they left off at Leigh with some impressive football early on. Smith released Twiss who burst into the area and he shrugged off two defenders but could only blast his shot just over the crossbar.
City were dominating the game and they predictably took the lead on 23 minutes. Scott Guyett's cross was flicked on by Stamp and was met by the head of Clare at the back post who made no mistake.
The Fleet looked shaky at the back and demonstrated little attacking intention so it came as no great surprise to see the home side double the lead five minutes later. Protheroe handled Smith’s corner and the referee pointed to the spot. A determined Daryl Clare, who missed a penalty in the previous outing at Leigh, placed the ball on the spot and proceeded to direct the ball the wrong side of heavyweight goalkeeper Wilkerson to net for the 15th time this season.
The Fleet managed to force a corner on 39 minutes, McCaldon demonstrated indecision as the ball flew into the danger zone but Haworth didn't make a good enough connection and the ball was hastily cleared. The latter stages of the opening 45 minutes saw a Twiss shot evade the bar and Stamp was unlucky to connect with a dangerous cross from the busy Clare.
The half time whistle blew and the Blues were coasting against the men from Stonebridge Road who looked a shadow of the team that famously defeated City in the FA Cup in November. But Andy Ford had other ideas and his half time team talk kicked the visitor's into action.
They looked to have more fire and determination about them in the second period and Chester were struggling to cope with the physical battles posed by Gravesend. The towering figure of Francis Duku nearly scored only to be denied by McCaldon and Stamp was unlucky to see his attempted lob flash narrowly wide of the upright at the other end.
But Andy Ford's men grabbed a goal on 68 minutes to give themselves hope of snatching something from this game. They were awarded a free kick and the defence were caught napping as lanky centre back Moore nipped in and volleyed past McCaldon that he should arguably had dealt with.
The Fleet were spurred on by the goal and looked dangerous in their attacking play, an amazing contrast to their first half display. And they once again silenced the Deva crowd three minutes later in what seemed like an action replay of their first goal. They were awarded a free kick in a similar position and the defensive organisation was farcical as Moore again was on hand to beat McCaldon from close range to level matters.
Gravesend almost got themselves in front moments later. The City rearguard was looking vulnerable and the visitor's exploited the indecision as Duku rose unmarked to glance a header with McCaldon rooted his line but the ball thankfully flashed inches wide of the far post in a heart-in-your-mouth moment.
Chester had often lumped the ball forward during the second period which the towers in the Gravesend back line lapped up, but the Blues gradually began to play again with the slick passing seen in the first half. And the home crowd so nearly roared in delight in the final stages of the game, Twiss cut through the packed Fleet midfield and released Stamp who was one-on-one with Wilkerson but his shot struck the post as Gravesend held on to snatch a point.
Calamitous defending, suspect goalkeeping, lack of concentration and dire refereeing is what cost Chester the three points but credit to Gravesend, they exploited a rare weakness in the Chester back line and used it to their advantage as they remain unbeaten in three visits to the Deva Stadium. Both free kicks in which Fleet scored from were suspect but the referee wasn't at fault for the way City defended which must be remedied if they are to remain top of the Conference, as they have now conceded four goals in two matches which is unusual for the Conference's meanest defence.
My man of the match goes to Sean Carey, his passing was accurate and he demonstrated frequent attacking intent and courageous tacking.
But along with Andre Marriner and Trevor Kettle, Mr Booth is not a referee I wish to see ever again!
Only one change was made from the team that defeated Leigh 6-2 on New Years Day, McIntyre was serving a suspension, which forced Wright to employ Michael Twiss in the unfamiliar position of left wing back.
The Blues carried on where they left off at Leigh with some impressive football early on. Smith released Twiss who burst into the area and he shrugged off two defenders but could only blast his shot just over the crossbar.
City were dominating the game and they predictably took the lead on 23 minutes. Scott Guyett's cross was flicked on by Stamp and was met by the head of Clare at the back post who made no mistake.
The Fleet looked shaky at the back and demonstrated little attacking intention so it came as no great surprise to see the home side double the lead five minutes later. Protheroe handled Smith’s corner and the referee pointed to the spot. A determined Daryl Clare, who missed a penalty in the previous outing at Leigh, placed the ball on the spot and proceeded to direct the ball the wrong side of heavyweight goalkeeper Wilkerson to net for the 15th time this season.
The Fleet managed to force a corner on 39 minutes, McCaldon demonstrated indecision as the ball flew into the danger zone but Haworth didn't make a good enough connection and the ball was hastily cleared. The latter stages of the opening 45 minutes saw a Twiss shot evade the bar and Stamp was unlucky to connect with a dangerous cross from the busy Clare.
The half time whistle blew and the Blues were coasting against the men from Stonebridge Road who looked a shadow of the team that famously defeated City in the FA Cup in November. But Andy Ford had other ideas and his half time team talk kicked the visitor's into action.
They looked to have more fire and determination about them in the second period and Chester were struggling to cope with the physical battles posed by Gravesend. The towering figure of Francis Duku nearly scored only to be denied by McCaldon and Stamp was unlucky to see his attempted lob flash narrowly wide of the upright at the other end.
But Andy Ford's men grabbed a goal on 68 minutes to give themselves hope of snatching something from this game. They were awarded a free kick and the defence were caught napping as lanky centre back Moore nipped in and volleyed past McCaldon that he should arguably had dealt with.
The Fleet were spurred on by the goal and looked dangerous in their attacking play, an amazing contrast to their first half display. And they once again silenced the Deva crowd three minutes later in what seemed like an action replay of their first goal. They were awarded a free kick in a similar position and the defensive organisation was farcical as Moore again was on hand to beat McCaldon from close range to level matters.
Gravesend almost got themselves in front moments later. The City rearguard was looking vulnerable and the visitor's exploited the indecision as Duku rose unmarked to glance a header with McCaldon rooted his line but the ball thankfully flashed inches wide of the far post in a heart-in-your-mouth moment.
Chester had often lumped the ball forward during the second period which the towers in the Gravesend back line lapped up, but the Blues gradually began to play again with the slick passing seen in the first half. And the home crowd so nearly roared in delight in the final stages of the game, Twiss cut through the packed Fleet midfield and released Stamp who was one-on-one with Wilkerson but his shot struck the post as Gravesend held on to snatch a point.
Calamitous defending, suspect goalkeeping, lack of concentration and dire refereeing is what cost Chester the three points but credit to Gravesend, they exploited a rare weakness in the Chester back line and used it to their advantage as they remain unbeaten in three visits to the Deva Stadium. Both free kicks in which Fleet scored from were suspect but the referee wasn't at fault for the way City defended which must be remedied if they are to remain top of the Conference, as they have now conceded four goals in two matches which is unusual for the Conference's meanest defence.
My man of the match goes to Sean Carey, his passing was accurate and he demonstrated frequent attacking intent and courageous tacking.
But along with Andre Marriner and Trevor Kettle, Mr Booth is not a referee I wish to see ever again!
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