Chester's X1 1-1 The Victory Club
Lewis Swan made a sensational return between the "pegs" for the Victory Club in an entertaining Division 2 match.
The Vics gaffer Steve Jackson made several changes to his side for a number of reasons and only had a bare 11 to pick from. In notable changes Swan returned in goal, Midfielder Chris Spence was deployed at Left Back, Jackson started himself in Midfield with Alan Tench also playing, Reece Langley was also handed a debut up front.
The game started very scrappy with both sets of players struggling to cope with the Sweltering Summer Evening Heat. The opening chance of a tight first half fell to Chester's a dodgy offside trap deployed by the Vics was tore through only for the forward to be denied superbly by Swan who smothered the ball from point blank range. He had to be on his toes moments later as he again denied the Chester's advances saving low to his right hand side.
The Vics made their first in road from a rare corner, with skipper Nathan Hudson going close with a header from 8 yards, he may think to himself though that he could have done better. The game continued to be a tightly contested affair until the 38th minute when debutant Reece Langley latched onto a Stores knock-on, and cooly side footed the ball home after duping the goalkeeper, into the empty net to put the Vics one up.
The Victory had to end the half with only 10 men though as Scott Hunter had to be patched up after making his first ever sliding tackle, he took a bang on the nose in the process which required a change of shirt (due to the blood) and probably means we will never see him make a slide tackle again ;) ......
Half Time
Steve Jackson was pleased with the first half display but he knew the work had to continue if the Vics were to get a result.
Right from the start of the second half the Victory were on the back foot with Chester's pressing hard for an equaliser, another poor offside trap from the Victory gifted Chester's another chance but once again Swan denied them blocking superbly with his feet before the retreating defenders hacked the ball to safety.
Eleven minutes into the second half though the game was all square again, a Chester's Left Wing cross was placed superbly into the area between goalkeeper and defenders and the attacker rose to plant the ball beyond the helpless Swan.
Chester's continued to create chances but poor finishing let them down. The Victory who were tiring were almost caught out but a Chester's cross/shot went agonisingly across the six yard box to safety.
With 15 to go the Victory seemed to regain some energy and went close on two occasions first through Alan Tench who turned superbly only to be denied by a smart save by the 'keeper. Then through Reece Langley who when one on one, put the ball agonisingly wide of the target.
That was the final notable piece of action and the Victory played well to earn a first point of the new season, but they'll be hoping to go one better against Colliery Tavern on Sunday.
