After much recent rain it was a very pleasant afternoon at the Abbey Stadium as the men in Amber took on National league North team Chester City in the FA cup. A crowd of 4329 including a very impressive 1231 from Cheshire awaited the game. United made 4 changes, bringing back Liam Bennett, Kory Smith, James Brophy and Ben Knight. Before today’s game there was a touching tribute to the fallen with an impressive line up of Air Cadets, RAF veterans and serving army soldiers who stood with the players around the centre circle. The playing of the last post is very moving and the minutes silence was immaculately observed.
United played towards the NRE in the first half and began in confident mood. The U’s were playing the ball around in swift passing movements which caught out their non league opponents. Early corners were won by the U’s who were completely on top. Liam Bennett was pulled down by Woodthorpe in a poor challenge, Woodthorpe being rightly booked. However Chester were to to pay a big price as Brophy swung over the free kick, keeper Murray-Jones stayed on his line and Kouassi forced the ball home from a couple of yards for 1-0 after 10 minutes. Although the U’s were on top a fast break by the visitors ended with Woodthorpe firing just wide from inside the box.
An early injury caused Chester to change Murray-Henry with Kelly-Evans. The U’s were playing the ball around nicely but were caught out by being over elaborate at times. Kell Watts was rightly booked for a poor challenge on Pat Jones near the half way line. Then the visitors got themselves into further bother on 35 with Arthurs missing his clearance and the ball fell nicely for Kouassi, who advanced on goal to fire in a volley from the left of goal about 15 yards out, his shot going through the legs of outstretched keeper Murray-Jones for 2-0. Moments later as the U’s pressed again, Bainbridge fouled Dom Ball just outside the visitors penalty area and was booked. Brophy took the resulting free kick which was a couple of feet over the crossbar.
On another break the visitors Pat Jones fired wide once again. The visitors had suffered a number of injuries and maybe it was the fast pace of the game which caught them out. They pressed the self destruct button again in the first minute of stoppage time with Kouassi being fed in midfield and racing towards goal, he sidestepped a couple of defenders before unselfishly passing to Brophy who beat a defender on the edge of the box before firing in a terrific shot which buried into the roof of the net for 3-0. Half time came moments later with the score reflecting the difference between the teams.
A second change for Chester saw James Jones replace Festus Arthur. The passing from United was still very good still as they attacked the south stand, full of noisy Chester fans who had given their team great support. On 48 Ben Purrington was booked for a foul on Pat Jones. Then following good play by Ben Knight who set up Dom Ball but his volley flashed just wide. Knight who was enjoying himself taking defenders on, beat a couple of players but fired over. Pat Jones then hit an effort for the visitors which forced a low save from Eastwood in the United goal. Korey Smith then got in the act but fired high & wide. Bainbridge chipped in a shot from the edge of the box well tipped over by home keeper Eastwood. Following the corner Murray of Chester fired well over. On 63 Chester replaced Pat Jones with Zanzala.
On 73 United replaced Kouassi, Knight, Smith and Ball with George Hoddle, Glenn McConnell. Elias Kachunga and Pelly Mapanzu. It was good to see a couple of youngsters being given a run out. The game seemingly won was played at low tempo with the teams cancelling each other out. On 85 Adam Mayor replaced Brophy who had played well. On 88 Chester replaced Leak and Peers with Roberts and Woods. Kevin Roberts received warm applause as a returning U should do. Woods then fired over for the visitors. The last couple of moments saw a number of fouls before referee Rick blew for full time on 93.
It had been a professional performance from the men in Amber I thought James Brophy was star man but mentions also go to Kouassi, Ball and Eastwood for their efforts today. A cup game at home to Brighton U21 and a trip to Salford follows but perhaps most eyes will be on the FA cup 2nd round draw on Monday evening.
Ref Watch -David Rock – 7. He put in a decent shift today and let the game flow when he could. Not helped by a number of silly fouls and several injuries to players in the visiting team.