Chet ended Paradise Lounge’s four game winning streak in a pulsating match.
The Upper Longdon based team have notched up their own sequence of six straight league wins and enter their two week Christmas break as league leaders although Royal Oak (Rushall) do have games in hand.
Paradise got off to a fine start exploiting the low sun which created difficulties for the home defence. In the 5th minute a run of three successive corners ended with a unchallenged headed goal as the Chet players lost sight of the ball when it crossed the suns path.
It is not unusual for Chet to concede the first goal; they have done so eleven times, out of fourteen, this season.
The fight back was immediate. Chet took control of the game which was played almost entirely in Paradise’s half of the pitch. Andy Thomas (goalkeeper) and Richard Shaw were majestic sweeping up in defence whilst Gavin Horsfall, Dan Lowndes and Stuart Talbot dominated midfield.
Chet’s equaliser came in the 17 minute; Ryan Tait received the ball from a corner kick and steered it into the patch of Craig Black who hammered home from close range.
The remainder of the half was very much in the same vein; Richard Liddle and Adam Hawkins made numerous overlapping runs down the flanks creating good quality openings.
Jon Mayer’s forceful game exerted constant pressure on the visiting defence who were not allowed a moment’s peace.
Tait went close on a several occasions; the woodwork thwarted him again this week. Additionally Chet were denied what looked a clear penalty for handball.
Shaun Jessop set up Black’s second goal in the 43rd minute; it was almost a carbon copy of his first success although this time the scoring shot was hit from twelve yards.
Paradise’s second goal came on the stroke of half time; once again the low sun played its part as a free kick that was swung high into the sunlight found its way into the net.
Joe Chambers replaced Liddle at half time; he slotted into midfield seamlessly.
Chet had Paradise on the hook; Tait was unlucky with a cheeky back header that was just kept out by the keeper.
Horsfall gave Chet the lead in the 65 minute as he calmly slotted home a classic Talbot through ball.
Dean Bailey came on in after 68 minutes; his lively style further confused the tiring opposition.
Hawkins scored a rare, but well deserved, goal in the 74th minute. Lowndes smart move across the goalmouth distracted the defence which allowed Hawkins to strike from outside the penalty area; his sweetly struck cross shot found the left hand corner of the net.
Black secured his hat trick in the 81st minute when he finished a move that commenced with an Adam Hawkins throw in from near the corner flag.
This was another pleasing team performance. On any other day Lowndes would have been man of the match; however on this occasion the award went to Black whose hat trick took his tally to ten for the season.
