Stopped In Their Tracks

After the A's original game was cancelled, Deeside kindly offered to step in at short notice for a game at home, after three weeks on the road. Deeside claimed to be sending a Year Seven team so the A's felt confident to release Emily Hunt, Abi Jeavons and Charlie Cook to the Badgers with Ruby Whysall and Matthew Randles kindly offering to play for the B's.

As the week before the game progressed, it looked as if the A's would only manage 10 players so Matthew Randles agreed to come across to play after his game for the B's and the B's released Ruby Whysall back to the A's. Last years' A player, Anna-Mai Jones, now playing for Ladies also agreed to stay on after her game to provide the A's with an experienced substitute.

With selection tight, and with no specialist forwards, Ffion Chilton, fresh from playing a quarter at centre forward, agreed to lead the line and during the course of the game worked hard to make herself available and combined well with Grace Spender on the right wing. Although neither forward scored their energy and enthusiasm were important in making space and providing opportunities for Elliot Hall at the top of the midfield diamond to score a fine hattrick.

In midfield Elliot Hall played with his usual energy, supported by Ella Thombs and Lauren Scoltock in the wide positions and Jack Riley at the base of the diamond. This week the midfield did not quite perform to the standards of the previous week, with too many balls being played up the centre and not enough use being made of the wide players. When the A's used the width gaps opened up and Chester looked more threatening. Progress is still to be made in this area and so too is the need for the midfield to work back as eagerly as it pushes forward. Occasionally defenders were forced into the unpleasant choice of sticking with their man or approaching an oncoming ball carrier.

In defence however, there is an increasing sense of understanding between the backs and signs that they are trusting each other enough to push up the pitch and support the midfield. Oscar Ablett made a brave and energetic debut for the A's at left back with Lukas Pold looking increasingly comfortable marking the centre forward allowing either Jonny Riley or Matthew Randles at sweeper to play either behind him or in front as the game dictated. Ruby Whysall had her usual solid game at right back and Finn 0'Dell looks increasingly confident in goal, in particular dealing with one-on-ones. One important aspect that still requires work though, is an understanding of man marking and discipline in remaining goal-side of the attacking player.

Anna-Mai Jones came on for a couple of exciting cameos in different positions as legs began to tire in the latter stages of the match

Deeside however, seemed not to be fielding the weaker year 7 team suggested by them in the run up to the game; with some senior players missing this became a close contest and Chester A's juggernaut was stopped in its tracks falling to a narrow 4-3 defeat, albeit that one of these goals came from an unfortunate tip in from a short corner.