Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Durham County Youth League Cup
Two very young squads on show tonight, with Chester progressing to the League Cup Semi Final in a decent League Cup tie that could have gone either way, but was settled with a strike from Robert Briggs on 70 minutes.
Chester edged the first half, but could find no way past an inspired Graeme Pickering in the RCA goal. However the best effort of the half belonged to RCA’s Lee Andrews who hit a 25 yarder which was pushed round the post. The visitors were always dangerous on attack in the first half, but as the half ended RCA were looking more comfortable. Half Time 0-0.
The second half commenced with RCA gaining more possession but little room was being found by either side as defences and midfield dominated. After the hour though the game really came to life, Ryan Mather feeding Andrews who racing into the box cracked a great effort which rattled the bar. Forward partner James Alston then broke down the left and after beating the final defender at the byeline he squared the ball but Andrews hit at the keeper. Chester responded with a header from Paul Johnson that was tipped onto the bar by Pickering, before Luke Wilson also cracked an effort against the upright. It was looking like first goal would steal the show and that came from Chesters Briggs who finding space in the box hit a shot that found the bottom corner.
Another one of the RCA Youth’s “if only” nights, but the players should learn from this season’s experiences. Two league games left and RCA v Chester (home and away), both teams needing maximum points to get league runner's up spot.