A Game of Two Halves

Following a comprehensive win against Oxton, in Charlie Cook’s last match for the Beavers before joining the Badgers U14 squad - where he scored a fine hat-trick and was awarded man of the match by the opposition - Chester struggled to put out a full side against Brooklands. Jonny Riley, selected for Badgers U14 this week, kindly agreed to step down to play for the Beavers as a string of injuries left the team short of defenders.

As expected, at least by the coaching staff and spectators, Brooklands came out strongly in the first quarter putting 3 past Finn O’Dell before Chester came to terms with the increased pace and skill of the opponents.

Things were little better in the second quarter as Chester still drifted with Brooklands scoring a further 2 - only a fine penalty save from Finn rescuing Chester from being even further behind. However things were not all entirely going Brooklands way and when Chester passed and moved there were brief glimpses of hope.

After a spirited team talk, emphasising Chester’s usual approach to play the Beavers A side approached the second half in a more determined and organised manner. This game was about to become, truly, a game of two halves.
Across the back Lukas Pold and Ffion Chilton began to get to grips with the Brooklands centre forward and right winger respectively, with one particularly fine moment when the Brooklands centre forward - backing into Lukas - found that he remained strong and immovable with no foul given against him, despite the protestations of the Brooklands player.

The defense also began to move up in support of the midfield – a mantra that has been repeated over the course of many games – defenders are not just there to defend, they form the start of all attacking moves and must move up to support the midfield.

Tackling improved in the middle of the park and Lauren Scoltock, Ben Pold and Jack Riley, after a slight stutter, becoming increasingly busy and active in breaking down Brooklands attacks with marking throughout the team resulting in more turnover of possession for Chester.
From the back Jonny Riley began to look right instead of left with his distribution leading to some excellent passing movements and wing play between Emily Cole at right back, Sophie Hornby at right mid and Marcus Badiru, playing his most accomplished game for the Beavers at right wing. It came as no surprise, with this increase in tempo and application that Chester scored 2 goals in the half, one from the ever busy Elliot Hall, the second from Anna Walker, who moved over from right wing to centre forward, filling the boots vacated by Charlie Cook with panache and no small amount of skill. Brooklands managed to get a single consolation goal.

Having perhaps begun to take the game for granted it came as no surprise that Brooklands came out in the fourth quarter galvanised after the setback of letting in two goals and losing the quarter. Pressure increased on the Chester team and Brooklands had several back- to back short corners, with one claim for a further penalty flick. Chester withstood this pressure and continued to make chances and the resulting scoreless quarter was a testament to the effort the team put in.

No game against Brooklands is ever easy and although Chester lost this was an important learning experience for a Beavers A team much changed from its pre-Christmas incarnation. To have come back from 5-0 down to win the second half against a fine Brooklands Team that certainly did not take their foot off the peddle was a fine achievement.