Chester FC V Pontefract Collieries | MT | FAC2QR | 17/09/22.

There seems to have been something missing at Fylde yesterday -

Teams Knocked out yesterday:

Telford
Bradford PA
Guiseley
Brackley
Alfreton
Spennymoor
Macclesfield
Southport
FC United
Warrington
Leamington
Dunston
Marine
Whitby

We’re finally tighter at the back, so when we don’t play well we still have a chance. I think it’s remarkable we’re unbeaten in 4 despite the current circumstances and I think Calum’s sense of pride comes through in his interviews.

400!! Joke of a club.

In a way this was a bit like the Southport game last Tuesday, where we did next to nothing in the first-half, however in the second everything just seemed to click. In recent seasons we would have probably lost this tie, because the longer the match was still goalless, the more the nerves started to kick in, but the fact we won with a comfortable two-goal cushion in the end is testament to our new squad’s calmness. We were made to work hard for sure in this game, however the most important thing is that we are through to the next round, so I am glad that we advanced without too much fuss. Another bonus is that we are now four unbeaten with a squad which is still wafer thin in terms of numbers, so we can definitely be very pleased with that feat as we are starting to turn into a side that is hard to beat. Pontefract Collieries, as expected, put in loads of effort as they made us work hard for the win. In the latter stages of the clash they started to tire which benefitted us due to our new training model, however prior to that they gave us a good run for our money, and in all honesty I thought the match was even up until we scored.

The first-half was dreadful to watch as we were very pedestrianised in our play, while our passing was uninspiring as we were mostly knocking the ball around side-to-side in our own half. We gave Pontefract Collieries too much respect in my opinion, because rather than playing into their hands we should have really been at them right from the off. There was a sheer lack of urgency, but thankfully we got the job done in the end so it isn’t really too big an issue now. On the eighth-minute mark a Harry McHugh effort took a deflection, while Pontefract had a good chance five minutes later, with Harry Spratt lashing a shot into the side netting. On the 25th-minute mark Harry Tyrer pulled off a tremendous save to deny Joe Lumsden, which kept us in the game. All in all it was a very quiet half so it was little surprise that it was goalless at the break, but in terms of chances it was the Yorkshire side who had the better of them.

Meanwhile, our showing in the second-period was better as we were more creative in our forward play, while remaining solid at the back. Seven minutes into the half a powerful James Baxendale volley took a wicked deflection for Pontefract Collieries - giving them a corner. Just after the hour mark though, we took the lead as Kurt Willoughby turned home to make it 1-0 to us. Ollie Heywood made a great run, before putting a ball into the box which found Willoughby, who bundled in. With roughly 20 minutes to go, Harry McHugh clipped a free-kick over the bar as we looked to extend our advantage. Seven minutes later, we did manage to double our lead, courtesy of Kurt Willoughby who was at it again to make it 2-0 to us. It was a bizarre goal, as Pontefract were still setting up their wall for a free-kick, however Kurt quickly consulted with the referee who was happy for him to take the free-kick, and in doing so he converted into an empty net. After the awful luck we had with officials earlier on this season, it’s about time that something went our way for a change 😅!! A few minutes later Kole Hall was unfortunate to not have made it 3-0, as he was blocked by Lloyd Allinson in the visiting goal. With two minutes of normal time to go, Hall did well to cut the ball back to Matty Williams who scuffed wide. In the end we held on to book our place in the 3rd Qualifying Round, where we will entertain Hanley Town at home.

Man of the match for me goes to Kurt Willoughby who bagged both of our goals to ensure we are in the next round. It’s no fault of his own, but he looked a bit lost when out wide to begin with, although as soon as Kurt played through the middle everything clicked. His first goal was a tidy finish, while King Kurt’s second was quick and clever thinking to curl in a cracking free-kick. Darren Stephenson is a close second, who arguably changed our performance when he came on. Pontefract Collieries had an easy ride in the first-half, but Dazzler made a big impact by taking them on which seemed to really rock the visitors. Harry Tyrer can be proud of recording back-to-back clean sheets, and although on the day he didn’t have a great deal to do, he still did his job when it mattered - most notably pulling off a marvellous reaction save in the first-half. Ollie Heywood did a tidy job on the left hand side, and his ball in for Willoughby’s first was great, so well done to him for getting an assist.

In spite of a turgid first-half, we got the job done and cashed in on a few grand, so now it’s all about us going on a good run given we have a favourable tie against Hanley Town in the next round. Our next match is on Saturday as we play Buxton away where we look to make it five unbeaten. Before the Hanley game we have a tough doubleheader away from home in the league, as of course we travel to Buxton on Saturday, before making the trip up to Chorley next Tuesday. Both sides are below us in the table though, so I would be content with a win and a draw either way to keep our good run of form going. A couple of bodies will be back for these two clashes, which will provide us with a fresh and much-needed boost.