Chester Men 1 vs Ben Rhydding Men 1

Chester Men 1 vs Ben Rhydding Men 1

Chester 2 - Ben Rhydding 3

The cold weather had subsided enough to allow the game between Ben Rhydding and Chester go ahead following cancellations in recent weeks. However Chester's Australian overseas player Brett Dempster refuted claims the weather had achieved mild status, as it was still well below 15 degrees Celsius. It was the first time the two teams had met since both being promoted from North Division 1 to North Premier last season. The game started in a frantic fashion with both teams utilising the aerial ball without fashioning any real chances. Chester took a 1-0 lead around the 20 minute mark as Jim Challenor sliding the ball down the inside channel from the left half position after patient build up play from Chester to find Brett Dempster who struck a ball across goal for back post specialist Tedd Mason to tap home. The home team added a second goal shortly after when Dave Hughes' shot was also turned in by Simon Jones. Chester threatened to add to their lead but couldn't muster a third goal before the half time break. Chester continued to press in the second half with Ben Rhydding looking to create chances on the counter attack. The away team pulled a goal back through a well worked short corner and equalised soon after through a penalty stroke when a stick tackle on the baseline was deemed a deliberate foul by the umpire. Another break away from Ben Rhydding lead to a yellow card to Chester's goalkeeper who accidentally used his pads outside of the dee when stepping out to clear a through ball. Keeper-less Chester managed to successfully defend the short corner and keep Ben Rhydding at bay for the next 5 minutes with James Nairn providing cover as the kicking back. In the final minutes of the game a hopeful ball in to the dee from Ben Rhydding was touched in at the far post. A flurry of late attacks from Chester wasn't enough to provide another twist at the end of the game.