| Chester City | 1-1 | Cambridge United |
| Bennett 68' | Kyd 7' | |
| Att: 2,167 |
United line-up: Barrett, Chenery, Wilson, Marc Joseph, Foster, Campbell, Wanless (Taylor 71), Rees, Kyd, Butler, Preece.
Subs not used: Williamson, Matthew Joseph.
[Jon Mansfield's match report] [The Abbey Rabbit's match report] [Ben Mynott's match report]
Jon Mansfield's match report:
We created few chances during the game, the United goal came after some determined work from Butler on the left, holding the ball up and laying a pass back for Preece to hit a low ball in to Kyd, who turned and beat the Chester keeper from about eight yards. The 150 or so United fans went wild, and we tried our best to try and create some kind of atmosphere in the Legoland Stadium. Gary Bennett as ever did his usual dirty tricks, throwing himself around and whinging all the time, much to the delight of the away fans, who barracked him throughout the game (Very much deserved I might add), but as half time approached 1 goal looked like probably being enough.
In the second half it was a different story, Chester came out like a different side after a half time roasting from Ratcliffe, they created few clear chances, but pressured our goal with corner after corner. The inevitable came on 68 minutes when sub Rod McDonald (Not Ronald) crossed from the right only for Garry Bennett to head past Barrett, sparking a 80yd run along the pitch with one hand cupped to his ear towards the United fans, only to receive another barrage of abuse (Again well deserved). The stewards who had earlier called for reinforcements the boys in blue to try and stop the United fan's making the game like a football match and creating some kind of atmosphere. The coppers who had threatend to eject several of the United fan's from the game for foul and abusive language suddenly went deaf when several U's fans tried to complain about Bennett inciting the crowd.
McDonald came close to a winner for Chester when a 20yd Shot was deflected on to the crossbar, but United had one last chance when a break in the box left the ball to Chenery who cracked a shot against the keeper from 12 yds, three United players scrambled for the rebound but the keeper was alert enough to collect the loose ball.
All in all a good away point for United, not the best of performances with Jason Rees well below his usual standard. Some thing don't change, Chester never beat United but Bennett always scores against us.
On the way home we stopped at McDonalds at Kettering for some nosh and who was parked next to us but Teddy Sheringham with his Mum, Dad and son, on the way back from Leicester. So we got him to autograph our programme.
The Abbey Rabbit's match report:
Oh dear, a return to the bad old ways as far as this performance was concerned. United started brightly and as has already been reported, Butler battled down the left, passed to Kyddie in the box who spun his defender and buried a shot into the bottom right-hand corner.
Chester were really poor first-half and you felt that if United scored a second the game would be al over. As it was we seemed incapable of creating anything worthwhile - once again all the good work in moving the ball around at the back and in midfield was undone by a the aimless punts forward for Butler and Kyd to run onto. Gradually Chester got back into the game and just before the break Scotty had to make a good save with his feet to keep us 1-0 up...
Second-half Chester came out all fired-up whilst United seemed content to sit on the lead. Whilst Chester were a lot better this half they reminded me a lot of United - lots of possession but no real spark up front. United were lucky ot to concede a penalty when Campbell and a Chester forward went for a tumble in the box - the ref played on and the home crowd weren't impressed!
Following a succession of corners the inevitable happened when Bennett, un-marked(!) nodded home from only a few yards out. After that Barrett was forced to make a number of saves but was helpless when a shot from McDonald cannoned off the post from 20 yards.
The introduction of Shaggy (bizarrely Wanless was replaced!) at least gave us a few more options up-front. Indeed United finished the game stronger, forcing a few late corners. We should have won it when Chenerey latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the box but his low shot was saved at the second-attempt by the keeper as Butler went for the loose ball. However, on the second-half display we barely deserved a point. We defended too deep and almost challenged Chester to score - which they did. Rees had a stinker from a creative point of view, although both he, Rees and Wanless harried and chased everything.
The only real "controversy" was the police and stewards clamping down on some of United's chants - however, we've already discussed this and you won't be surprised as to who some of those involved were! Personally I'd love to hear the U's fans have a chant that didn't involve "sh*t", "f**k" and the like! However I did like one taunt, "You're Welsh and you know you are!". As to Bennett - well, he'd been copping abuse for the entire game so it was bloody obvious that he'd score... all he did though was run up to the away end after scoring and cupped a hand to his ear... not exactly inflammatory!
As to the number of U's present I'd suggest that 150 was a bit of an exaggeration - sauces close to the Devoid Stadium press box suggests that the number was nearer to about 90... Which considering that we bumped into around 100 Rushden and Diamonds fans at Cawley Services is a bit of a shaming inditment on our own support...
Ben Mynott's match report:
Not a bad game; we were all over Chester for 45 minutes, the exact opposite for the last 45. Gary Bennett, the annoying git, had to score against us - do I hate that man!
Kyd's goal was a good one; a ball from Preece to his feet, a good trap and turn and a cool strike into the bottom corner. Their goal was a result of some very sloppy defending; Wilson was beaten on the right wing, a good cross came in and Bennett rose unchallenged at the far post. Both Chenery and Joseph were near him, but neither bothered to challenge.
Both sides had reasonable penalty appeals in the second half; first Campbell appeared to hold back Bennett, then later Kyd was sandwiched by two defenders. I'd have to say the Chester claim was stronger and was surprised a pen wasn't given. Chenery almost scored with a sidefoot on one of the few occasions he got into a forward position; however his shot didn't quite have enough power. The ball squeezed underneath the keeper's body but he recovered to smother the ball as Butler followed up.
The ref was shy with his cards (as all our refs so far this season have been); he bottled it ten minutes from time when Butler was brought down as he was running clean through. A professional foul surely, but the ref only showed yellow. Needless to say we didn't come close with the free kick (Rees blasted wide - as he did on a few other occasions).
1-1 on the whole a fair result.
Performances/Ratings:
Barrett 7 Some good saves.
Chenery 6 Unlucky not to score, at fault for the goal?
Wilson 5 Not the same player as last season.
Marc Joseph 4.5 Poor.
Foster 7 Strong & composed.
Campbell 7 I've been very impressed with him so far this season.
Rees 2 If he's lucky! Constantly gave the ball away. McFarland should have
subbed him despite the fact he was captain.
Preece 5.5 Nothing amazing; improved as time went on.
Wanless 7 Best player in the second half - until he was subbed! Outrageous decision
by McFarland - keeps on Rees who was having a 'mare, preferring to take off
our most threatening player. My doubts about RM are creeping back ...
Butler 5 Did little. Very lightweight in the air.
Kyd 7.5 My Man-of-the-Match. Well taken goal, and a constant threat to the Chester
defence with his great runs.
Subs:-
Taylor 7 (for Wanless) did a far better job than Butler (who dropped into
midfield) up-front.
Many thanks to Jon, Steve and Ben for their match reports.
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