This weekend Chet entertained Hammerwich Athletic in a top of the table clash (first v second).
Due to the adverse weather conditions both sides were playing their first game for six weeks; the enforced break did not appear to affect either team’s enthusiasm.
The first move of the game saw Craig Black break down the right before a last ditch tackle denied him a shooting opportunity.
After this Hammerwich dominated the early exchanges; their long throws into the penalty area proved effective. This tactic saw them take the lead in the 12th minute. Goalkeeper Andy Thomas was forced to punch the ball out; Chet’s defence was slow to close the attacking midfielders down and a mishit shot turned out to be a perfect cross to the far post where an unchallenged opponent neatly headed in.
Chet drew level in the 19th minute. Gavin Horsfall’s perfect through ball sent Ryan Tait clear down the left; his strongly hit shot was too powerful for the keeper who could only touch the ball on its way into the net.
Shortly afterwards Jon Mayer was denied a clear penalty when he was tackled from behind whilst teeing up a perfect scoring opportunity.
Richard (Norman) Liddle, Stuart Talbot and Horsfall were having outstanding games; their task was made much harder in the 38th minute when Dan Lowndes was forced out of the game after taking a severe knock on his upper thigh.
Joe Chambers replaced Lowndes; his effective display ensured Chet continued to control midfield.
In the 51st minute a defensive mistake let in Black who kept his head and calmly slotted home from 15yds.
Tait was causing chaos in the opponents defence; he was only being stopped by an unusually high number of close, but suspect, offside decisions.
Hammerwich were rarely dangerous in the final half hour. Adam Hawkins, Shaun Jessop and Richard Shaw marshalled the defence with distinction. Jessop made hearts skip a beat when he almost headed a dangerous cross into his own net whilst steering the ball out for a corner.
Thomas (goalkeeper) dominated the aerial exchanges in his penalty area; this clearly dispirited Hammerwich whose long throws were now being routinely dealt with.
Chet suffered another injury blow in the 69th minute; the battling Mayer was subjected to a powerful shoulder charge that forced him to go over on his ankle which was badly sprained.
Sam Cotter replaced Mayer; he kept the left side of Hammerwich’s defence busy in what was becoming an increasingly physical battle.
Talbot became the third Chet player to be substituted through injury when in the 85th minute he took his third knock in quick succession. Jason Rowley replaced Talbot; his role being simply to shore up midfield.
Chet’s determination to win was summed up in the closing minutes when the diminutive Black, assisted the defence, by rising above three much taller opponents to head clear and stave off the visitors final attack.
This game demonstrated Chet’s supreme strength although the loss of Dean Bailey to another team highlights the fact that our squad is thin on numbers. Only two players did not feature today and lack of personnel could be an issue if injuries restrict availability.
Manager Jeff Cotter has indicated there is no need to increase player numbers; this being so it is essential suspensions are avoided.
The season is almost half way through; despite this the title is now back in Chet’s own hands. A win against Royal Oak (Rushall) will mean the trophy is Chet’s to lose. Paradise Lounge (Lichfield), who are our oldest and most competitive foes have put a good run together and look as if they will push us the hardest; also we should not underestimate three other teams i.e. today’s opponents, Mastertrim (Burntwood) and Freemans (Pelsall).
