By Webmaster
September 4 2002

Chester took all the spoils in a tricky tie against a Morecambe side that came for a draw. City found it hard to break down the Shrimps defence and left it late to record their first home win.

W. Brown 8, Guyett 8, Hatswell 8, Harkness 6, McIntyre 7, Kelly 9, Blackburn 6, Carden 9, Sugden 12, Twiss 11, Beesley 8. Subs M. Brown 9, Ruffer 9, Davies 7.

A crowd of 2,036 watched Chester record their first victory of the season at the Deva Stadium.

Mark Beesley made the starting line-up after impressing manager Wright in the Blues 2-0 win away at Forest Green Rovers last Saturday. Chester reverted to their away formation of 3-4-3 to try and create more chances against a Morecambe team who were content in playing out a 0-0 draw.

Carl Ruffer came on for Steve Harkness early in the half due to injury. It is not yet known how long Harkness will be sidelined for.

The Blues pressured Morecambe throughout the game and dominated the possession. Jimmy Kelly and Paul Carden mastered the centre of the park leaving Chris Blackburn to push forward and support the front 3.

Both sides had good chances to score in the first half with Morecambe firing over from 12 yards after a scramble in the Chester penalty area. City could of scored at the other end but Mawson blocked strikes from both Twiss and Sugden.

In the second half, a tired Mark Beesley was replaced by Micky Brown who instantly brought the game and the north terrace to life. Brown looked like a man on a mission down the right wing and found space before driving a ball into the penalty area where Twiss and Sugden scrapped with the Morecambe defence and keeper leaving Twiss with a free strike on goal from 14 yards. Twissy made no mistake.

Brown continued to make a menace of himself down the right wing and wasn’t scared of putting a foot in. He did know wrong last night and if he can continue to perform on that level it would be criminal not to include the ex Boston player in Mark Wright’s starting eleven.

Twiss picked up the ball in the centre circle and ran at Morecambe’s defence but was tackled just before he was about to pull the trigger. The Shrimps instantly counter attacked and a cross was headed onto Drummond who headed past Wayne Brown to end City perfect defensive record on 76 minutes.

After all the work Chester put in to break down the Morecambe back line of 12 (or so it seemed) I found it hard to see Chester regaining the lead in the final 15 minutes. I was proved wrong when Micky Brown powered down the right like a wild boar and swung a cross which was met by Ryan Sugden to head Chester into the lead once again. A truly riveting, enthralling, absorbing, gripping, attention-grabbing have of football which sent the Blue army home happy.

Great Stuff – bring on the railwaymen.