Chet bounced back from a dismal two weeks by ending Mastertrim’s unbeaten league record.
Blustery conditions made life difficult for defenders. Mastertrim looked classy in the early exchanges; their two sharp forwards exposed the offside trap.
Chet have fallen behind in every game this season; this week was no exception. In the 19th minute a cross to the far post was headed back across goal where a solitary Mastertrim player beat four defenders to the ball and scored with relative ease.
The home side were in control and a wind assisted shot came back off the crossbar as did a well taken corner.
A good passage of play enabled Chet to equalise in the 27th minute; man of the match Steve Bailey’s searching cross was diverted into the net by a desperate Mastertrim defender.
Fortunes began to even up and the game swung from end to end; goalkeeper Andy Thomas’s fine challenge in a one on one situation forced Mastertrim to hit the post. As half time approached Andy was called into action again; he took a painful knock whilst uting an expertly judged save to extinguish another Mastertrim one to one situation.
It was not all one way traffic: Chet went close on three occasions late in the first half as Ryan Tait returned to form with a vengeance. The determination to succeed was evident as players shrugged off injuries in pursuit of victory; Stuart Talbot suffered a nasty hit in the groin during a sustained period of Chet attacking play.
Chet took the initiative in the second half despite facing a strong wind although they could not secure a breakthrough.
There was still need for heroics in defencde; Richard (Norman) Liddle put his body on the line to end one Mastertrim attack.
Astute substitutions around the hour mark made the difference; Jon Mayer and Joe Chambers were introduced as Chet made full use of their small but talented squad.
The weakening league leaders were being outgunned in every department; Dan Lowndes (midfield) and Ryan Tait (up front) were winning all contests against their, increasingly physical, but fair, opponents.
Mastertrim eventually capitulated in the 74th minute when Craig Black’s teasing ball across the face of goal was turned in by a defender; had he not done so the ball would have gone through to Ryan Tait for a certain goal.
Richard Shaw came on straight away to bolster the defence although there was no need as Chet dominated the final stages.
Good work from Ryan Tait and Craig Black presented Jon Mayer with a tap in after 78 minutes.
A minute later Gavin Horsfall’s through ball enabled Ryan Tait to rifle home from just inside the penalty box; this was the best goal of the game.
Chet were in complete control and what looked a clear penalty (foul on Dan Lowndes) was denied them in the dying minutes.
This was an excellent team performance; we can go on from here.
