Chester City 2, Bristol Rovers 2
By Chris Thompson
April 17 2005
Chester, this time, are mathematically assured of survival in League Two, with a fantastic, and deserved comeback from two goals down against Bristol Rovers.
April 17 2005
Chester, this time, are mathematically assured of survival in League Two, with a fantastic, and deserved comeback from two goals down against Bristol Rovers.
There was still hope when Bristol took the lead just 23 minutes into the encounter- Chester have twice from their previous three games overturned 1-goal deficits to win it 2-1. However a Junior Agogo goal, just seven minutes later, the former City loanee headering in from close range, cast doubts about City’s ability to do it again, and I for one was relieved that the game has such little impact having already secured league status, albeit it not mathematically.
However, two goals in the second half from an inspired Stewart Drummond, who later received man-of-the-match for his efforts, was enough to send Ian Atkins’ Bristol Rovers back south in the knowledge that this was their 21st draw of the campaign.
Chester lined out in much the same way they had against Boston. Amongst the four playing at the back, Richard Hope retained his place at centre-back, moving back to his more customary left-centre role, alongside Phil Bolland who returned from a two-match-suspension. Full-back Andy Nicholas was nowhere to be seen in the 16-man-squad, the loanee from Swindon is due to return to his club today, and I can only assume he picked up a late injury, or was re-called earlier than anticipated. In his place, Shaun Hessey, who played at Centre-back against Boston, moved in, whilst Darren Edmondson lined up on the right.
In the centre of midfield, Bell kept faith with Drummond, Carden and Davies in their narrow role, with youngsters Robbie Foy and Robbie Booth operating the winger-cum-striker role, the sole man up front, Ian Rush’s final signing, from Shrewsbury, Ryan Lowe. Wayne Brown, Michael Brown, Joe O'Neill, Carl Regan, Michael Walsh took their places on the bench.
Chester began brightly under their new attacking formation, and it was somewhat against the run-of-play that Bristol took the lead, after Stewart Drummond, Ryan Lowe and Sean Hessey had all came close with good efforts.
Aaron Lescott forced a parry out of Chris McKenzie, before Ryan Williams took on a short dribble before rifling home, amidst desperate cries of offside from the City support, from whom it appeared, certainly as the short ball reached him, he was the furthest man forward on the field. However, the goal stood, and City were yet again 1-0 down, for the fourth time in four matches.
City simply wilted before this, and took two chances after conceding the opening goal to try and make amends. Stewart Drummond with the first opportunity, shooting wide, before Ryan Lowe curled over a close-range free-kick.
On 30 minutes, Ryan Williams was again involved in a Bristol goal, this time turning provider to Junior Agogo. Making good work down the left flank, he turned in a great cross which was met at the far-post by an unmarked Agogo, who had the simplest of tasks, headering in from a couple of yards out with Chris McKenzie beaten.
There was a scare for any City fan aware, after Edmondson was treated to on the sideline, leaving the left flank unopposed for Williams to run freely, calling desperately for the ball on every Bristol attack, until Edmondson was eventually replaced by Carl Regan, on loan from Droylsden.
After the restart, which was a depressing quarter-of-an-hour, Chester were quickest out of the blocks once again. Drummond was the man guilty of missing City’s best opportunity to yet, failing to beat Ryan Clarke in the Bristol goal after going clean through, Clarke diving to his right to put Drummond’s goal bound effort around the post.
A free-kick was awarded Chester’s way moments later, as Ryan Lowe was floored, but Shaun Hessey’s direct shot was nothing to the two spectacular efforts he has placed this season, his effort reaching no further than the Bristol wall.
Bell then opted to play Joe O’ Neil up front who replaced Robbie Booth on 59, and it took just a minute for City to deservedly grab a goal back. Good work by Ben Davies set up Stewart Drummond whose precision finish flew past Ryan Clarke, and set up an exciting final third to what had already been an entertaining half.
And then Chester’s incredible revival was completed on 72, courtesy yet again of Stewart Drummond, but only after Bristol had had a third goal ruled out for offside to the fury of the away support.
A cross by Robbie Foy, who had worked well on the flank, several times taking the ball with a fantastic first-touch, was intended to reach O’ Neil, but he scoffed his shot, and Drummond was on hand to blast his shot home from close-range.
4 minutes of injury time were added on, and Bristol won a corner almost immediately. The ball swung in, and just about the entire crowd looked on, as a Bristol Rovers player ran through the middle of the penalty box, unmarked, but McKenzie pulled off a fantastic save, catching the dangerous ball out of nowhere to deny Bristol, yet again, their third goal.
Attendance, 2,475, Chester 2, Bristol Rovers 2.
However, two goals in the second half from an inspired Stewart Drummond, who later received man-of-the-match for his efforts, was enough to send Ian Atkins’ Bristol Rovers back south in the knowledge that this was their 21st draw of the campaign.
Chester lined out in much the same way they had against Boston. Amongst the four playing at the back, Richard Hope retained his place at centre-back, moving back to his more customary left-centre role, alongside Phil Bolland who returned from a two-match-suspension. Full-back Andy Nicholas was nowhere to be seen in the 16-man-squad, the loanee from Swindon is due to return to his club today, and I can only assume he picked up a late injury, or was re-called earlier than anticipated. In his place, Shaun Hessey, who played at Centre-back against Boston, moved in, whilst Darren Edmondson lined up on the right.
In the centre of midfield, Bell kept faith with Drummond, Carden and Davies in their narrow role, with youngsters Robbie Foy and Robbie Booth operating the winger-cum-striker role, the sole man up front, Ian Rush’s final signing, from Shrewsbury, Ryan Lowe. Wayne Brown, Michael Brown, Joe O'Neill, Carl Regan, Michael Walsh took their places on the bench.
Chester began brightly under their new attacking formation, and it was somewhat against the run-of-play that Bristol took the lead, after Stewart Drummond, Ryan Lowe and Sean Hessey had all came close with good efforts.
Aaron Lescott forced a parry out of Chris McKenzie, before Ryan Williams took on a short dribble before rifling home, amidst desperate cries of offside from the City support, from whom it appeared, certainly as the short ball reached him, he was the furthest man forward on the field. However, the goal stood, and City were yet again 1-0 down, for the fourth time in four matches.
City simply wilted before this, and took two chances after conceding the opening goal to try and make amends. Stewart Drummond with the first opportunity, shooting wide, before Ryan Lowe curled over a close-range free-kick.
On 30 minutes, Ryan Williams was again involved in a Bristol goal, this time turning provider to Junior Agogo. Making good work down the left flank, he turned in a great cross which was met at the far-post by an unmarked Agogo, who had the simplest of tasks, headering in from a couple of yards out with Chris McKenzie beaten.
There was a scare for any City fan aware, after Edmondson was treated to on the sideline, leaving the left flank unopposed for Williams to run freely, calling desperately for the ball on every Bristol attack, until Edmondson was eventually replaced by Carl Regan, on loan from Droylsden.
After the restart, which was a depressing quarter-of-an-hour, Chester were quickest out of the blocks once again. Drummond was the man guilty of missing City’s best opportunity to yet, failing to beat Ryan Clarke in the Bristol goal after going clean through, Clarke diving to his right to put Drummond’s goal bound effort around the post.
A free-kick was awarded Chester’s way moments later, as Ryan Lowe was floored, but Shaun Hessey’s direct shot was nothing to the two spectacular efforts he has placed this season, his effort reaching no further than the Bristol wall.
Bell then opted to play Joe O’ Neil up front who replaced Robbie Booth on 59, and it took just a minute for City to deservedly grab a goal back. Good work by Ben Davies set up Stewart Drummond whose precision finish flew past Ryan Clarke, and set up an exciting final third to what had already been an entertaining half.
And then Chester’s incredible revival was completed on 72, courtesy yet again of Stewart Drummond, but only after Bristol had had a third goal ruled out for offside to the fury of the away support.
A cross by Robbie Foy, who had worked well on the flank, several times taking the ball with a fantastic first-touch, was intended to reach O’ Neil, but he scoffed his shot, and Drummond was on hand to blast his shot home from close-range.
4 minutes of injury time were added on, and Bristol won a corner almost immediately. The ball swung in, and just about the entire crowd looked on, as a Bristol Rovers player ran through the middle of the penalty box, unmarked, but McKenzie pulled off a fantastic save, catching the dangerous ball out of nowhere to deny Bristol, yet again, their third goal.
Attendance, 2,475, Chester 2, Bristol Rovers 2.
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