Park Tavern’s visit to Glebe Farm provided Chet with a stern examination. This was an excellent game between two evenly matched sides; once again Chet drew clear in the final quarter as their superior fitness saw them through. This victory secured a double against the best team Chet have played this season and saw the team return to the top of the table.
The early exchanges were dominated by Park Tavern whose speedy centre forward kept getting beyond the home defence. After going close on two occasions he eventually scored in the 16th minute.
Chet struck back immediately; a smart interchange between Craig Black and Dan Lowndes ended with Lowndes firing in a cannonball shot which the goalkeeper could only parry into the path of a retreating defender who turned the ball into his own net.
Manager Jeff Cotter immediately altered Chet’s formation; Gavin Horsfall (midfield) dropped back into defence which allowed Adam Hawkins to mark the speedy Park Tavern forward on a man to man basis. Hawkins played superbly throughout the remainder of the game, a performance which earned him the man of the match award.
Park Tavern regained the lead in the 21st minute when they took advantage of a questionable penalty award; even now it is not certain what offence was committed. This was the only suspect decision made by local referee (Jurgen Popp, age 18) who had a particularly sound game.
Injuries affected Chet’s second half performance; Stuart Talbot (knee) was replaced after 51 minutes. Jason Rowley left the fray in the 58 minute; this provided Dean Bailey with his first open field action since he suffered an ankle injury in September 2009.
Bailey (Dean) rose to the occasion; hitting the post twice then, after 68 minutes, he glanced a header through to Ryan Tait who equalised with a well placed shot.
Chet took the lead in the 73rd minute; Tait’s free kick from 30 yards came back of the crossbar and fell to Lowndes who slotted the ball home from close range.
Another injury blow occurred after 78 minutes when Tait limped off with a tweaked hamstring.
The match was secured in the 86th minute; Lowndes latched onto a long clearance from Andy Thomas (goalkeeper) and lobbed the ball into the net.
This game demonstrated Chet’s strength in depth; Mark Griffiths (work); Phil Irons (injury) and Chris Ridge (university) are long term absentees. The remaining eighteen players enjoy a good team spirit, they are a strong and balanced unit who should continue to press for honours.
