This weekend Chet visited AFC Shelfield who are the leaders of the Premier Division, in round two of the Jack Donnelly Cup.
Chet were depleted as three first choice players were unavailable because of work requirements, family commitments or illness. The strength of our small but talented squad was, once again, evident as the pre planned 4 – 5 – 1 formation comfortably held the early Shelfield raids.
Play was evenly matched until the 26th minute when a defensive mix up gifted Shelfield the opening goal. Their lead was extended, against the run of play, in the 35th minute when a good team move split open Chet’s defence.
The 2 – 0 score line did not reflect the evenly balanced game.
Craig Black’s presence on the right was putting Shelfield under intense pressure as was Jon Mayer’s tireless running as our lone striker.
Chet should have pulled a goal back in the 37th minute when Dan Lowndes left foot shot went wide with the Shelfield defence stranded. Shortly afterwards the goalkeeper pulled off a fine save from a long range Lowndes effort.
Persistence was rewarded in the 40th minute when Mayer sent Black clear down the right; his pinpoint cross to the far post was met perfectly by Lowndes who guided a header back across goal and into the bottom right hand corner.
Shelfield dealt Chet a cruel blow in the 44th minute when a deflected shot fell to an unmarked forward who thumped the ball home.
Despite conceding three goals Chet’s defence looked solid with Steve Bailey, Adam Hawkins, Shaun Jessop and Richard Shaw all having outstanding games.
Richard Lewis was Chet’s solitary travelling fan; his support spurred the team on as they dominated the second half.
Chet were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 69th minute when a defender clearly handled the ball.
Scoring opportunities were being created with ease; one notable chance came in the 72nd minute when Mayer side footed a shot into the goalkeeper’s arms despite scoring being the easier option.
Lowndes hit a dipping shot from 25 yards that beat the goalkeeper but went over having shaved the top of the crossbar.
Jeff Cotter struck the crossbar in the 80th minute. The same player spurned a chance in the 86th minute when his left footed shot went the wrong side of the post with the goal at his mercy.
Shelfield never threatened in the second half; Chet can be proud of their performance against a very competitive and talented team.
Dan Lowndes (man of the match), Jon Mayer and Craig Black were outstanding; they played with distinction. Overall this was a quality team performance; no player was less than impressive.
