Say we are top of the league, say we are top of the
leauge! For long stages though it certainly didn't look
that way. There was a fairly scrappy start to the game
here at Christie Park this evening and long scrappy
periods throughout.A Thompson corner in the
8th minute was the first real chance of the game which
was headed goalwards by Bentley but McCaldon saved it
comfortably.
At the other end Alex Smith played a good ball through
from midfield to Daryl Clare who had started a breaking
run down the left (yes folks, a midfielder linking with a
striker). However the run had started from deep
inside Chester's half so Mawson in the Morecambe goal was
well placed to save Daryl's shot.
The game continued in it's scrappy fashion with no
real action to report for long spells. Alex Smith
played a good ball through to Ben Davies on 27 minutes
who then shot at goal from 20 yards out at an acute
angle. His shot was weak but was nearly mishandled
by the keeper who only just stopped it in time.
Morecambe had the best chance of the game so far on 33
minutes when a Wayne Curtis shot at goal took a wicked
deflection of Bolland's leg. This had McCaldon
beaten but fortunately it hit the left had upright.
Morecambe were starting to dominate and on 36 Danny
Carlton received a free kick from Kieron Walmsley and
played a lob at McCaldon's goal forcing a superb save.
Two real chances for Morecambe to break the deadlock
there within the space of two minutes.
Just before half time Ben Davies nearly had the blues
in front with a superb volley from 22 yards out which
ricocheted off the crossbar.
So a brighter end to the first half than it started
with some real chances for both sides in the final 15
minutes.
Chester made one half time substitution for reasons
unknown with Wayne Brown replacing Ian McCladon in the
Chester goal.
Chester won two corners early in the half though both
came to nothing. They won a third in the 50th minute
which eventually came out to John Brady who played a
cross into the box which was headed wide by Darryn Stamp.
At this stage the second half looked like it might
continue it the same vein as the final stages of the
first half but sadly this was not to be the case.
The midfield scrap was to dominate the game with little
goalmouth action.
Walmsley took an excellent free kick for Morecambe in
the 75th minute which went just over the crossbar and was
way out of Wayne's reach.
Chester took the lead a minute later and what a goal
it was. Jon Brady played a high ball in from near
the corner flag to the far post where it was knocked down
by Darryn Stamp to the feet of Daryl Clare who had the
easiest of tasks to knock the ball home from close range.
Foster replaced Clare in the 79th minute after Clare
had taken a knock. Nothing to worry about, he walked off
the field, probably just a precaution with only 10
minutes left and the blues a goal up.
Danny Shalton found himself in acres of space on 80
minutes for Morecambe but with Wayne in front of him and
the defenders looming he managed to give the ball away.
Morecambe were awarded a free kick in a dangerous
position in front of goal after a foul by Kevin
McIntyre. It was struck low and hard by Kieron
Walmsley but came off the defensive wall.
The fourth official indicated six minutes of added
time for some bizarre reason and Morecambe intended to
make the most of it.
The could have equalised in the second minute of
injury time when Jim Bentley nearly scored at the near
post after a good cross across the area. Wayne
Brown just managed to save it low and on the goal line.
So Chester go top of the league due to Hereford losing
to Accrington and also break Morecambe's home league
undefeated record in the process. What could be
better. Well some more flair and creativity for
starter, but that is for another day. Too much good news
here at Christe Park this evening to worry about anything
else.
MOM Ben Davies who seemed to be playing in all three
areas of the park tonight.
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