Match Report - Holywell

Holywell
By Andy Lance
July 26 2002

Chester travelled to Holywell for their second pre season friendly last night (Thursday). They came away with an impressive 7-0 victory.

25th July - Kick Off 7:30

Holywell FC 0 - 7 Chester City

City once again only left out Steve Harkness who is still not match fit out of their squad for the short journey to Holywell. The Seals lined up with one of their trialists Walsh in goal, Ruffer, Bolland, Hatswell at the back, McIntyre, Carey, Kelly, and Davis in midfield, and Beesley, Cameron and Twiss up front.

Chester on the attack from the kick off created a few half chances for Beesley in the opening exchanges, but the striker failed to trouble the Holywell shot stopper.

On 20 minutes Chester's trialist keeper hit a long ball forward which Dave Cameron latched onto, the striker closed in on goal before slotting a softly struck shot past the left hand of the keeper to put his club in the 1-0 ahead

After a period of Holywell pressure, City counter attacked and worked the ball to Micheal Twiss who with the outside of his boot curled his strike into the bottom right corner from 14 yards out to put City firmly in charge

On the half hour a ball from midfield set Twiss through with Beesley in support, Twiss, one on one with the keeper un-selfishly passed square to Beesley who saw his shot palmed away when he really should of scored. Minutes later Ben Davis delivered a pin point cross to an un-marked Cameron, but the big striker headed over.

With Chester firmly on top, Twiss ran at the Back four of Holywell and with a burst of speed surged through and again passed across to Beesley who again failed to convert. Attack after attack came for City and Cameron made his way to the touchline before cutting the ball back in the area to Twiss who set himself up and struck a firm strike on the spin which came back of the woodwork

With half time looming a Beesley cross seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before Kelly from 16 yards out acrobatically shot inches over the bar. Moments later Twiss again ran through the Holywell defence and hit the post for the second time in the half, Cameron followed up and netted via a big deflection off the unlucky keeper.

The last event of the half saw young Ben Davis split the defence of Holywell and home in on goal, the Ex Kidderminster Harriers minfielder attempted to go round the keeper but was denied by an outstreched arm and was forced to pass across to Beesley who with an open goal infront of him made no mistake

At Half Time manager Wright made 8 Changes to his starting line-up, leaving just the back three on the field. One of City's trialist goalkeeper, Worsnop (Bradford) came out in the Holywell team and Walsh replaced him. Brodie, Sugden, Haarhoff, Blackburn, Collins, M Brown and Carden replaced Kelly, Carey, McIntyre, Davis, Twiss, Beesley and Cameron.

Early in the second half Haarhoff as electric as ever was brought down on the edge of the area, the free kick never troubled the keeper as it sailed over the bar. City's next attack saw Sugden dribble into the box and make space for a shot which came back off the upright.

Chester who dominated the game took there foot off the pedel midway through the second half and the game died down till the 70th minute when a long ball was controlled by Steve Brodie before he hit a "Ronnie Rasper" into the back of the net via the Keepers glove.

With Chester 5-0 up Chris Blackburn played a defence splitting ball through to Sugden who was brought down. The ref pointed to the spot and Sugden got up to take it himself. A firmly struck penalty was saved by an impressive Worsnop.

Ten minutes from time Carden made a surging run through the Holywell team but was forced wide by Worsnop, the midfielder cut the ball back to Sugden to score into an empty net.

On 82 minutes Sugden ended the scoring with a fantastic Chip, the goal of the game! Minutes from time Sugden went through again and played it to Haarhoff who got the ball stuck under his feet before striking over

Overall it was an impressive result though the Holywell team were poor. The blues did what they needed to do and will be looking forward to their next game on saturday against Bangor.