Match Report - Telford United

By Andy Lance
August 21 2002

Chester City Football Club moved to the top of the Nationwide Conference with a 1-0 away victory at Bucks Head. Ryan Sugden scored City’s first goal of the season on the hour mark.

W.Brown, Harkness, Guyett, Hatswell, McIntyre, Carey, Blackburn, Kelly, Sugden, Twiss, Cameron.

The Seals travelled to Bottom of the league side Telford United last night (Monday) and fielded a changed side from the team that faced Kettering Town on the opening day. Mark Beesley, Carl Ruffer and Ben Davies all missed out with Cameron, Carey and Harkness starting.

In the first half Chester were poor and were unable to put a few passes together as they were drawn into a Conference scrap. Chris Blackburn had City’s first chance of the game but his strike was well saved by the Telford Keeper Edwards (Ex Shrewsbury).

In the 37th minute things turned sour when striker Dave Cameron challenged Edwards following a floated ball into the Telford United penalty area but lead with a arm and was shown a straight red.

At half time after a poor first half performance and down to 10 men things looked bad for Mark Wright’s side but after the team talk City looked a completely different team and took the game to Telford. Michael Twiss looked as dangerous as ever and the oppositions back line were struggling to keep up with the pace of the city forwards.

Chester were particularly dangerous off corners with the height of Guyett, Hatswell and Sugden.

The goal came on the hour mark after Man Of The Match Michael Twiss supplied a low cross which was met Ryan Sugden moments before Edwards to net City’s first goal and first 3 points of the season.

Chester continued to create chances, most notably when Twiss ran through Telford’s sluggish defence and poked a shot goalwards. Edwards pulled off a great save to keep the scores at 1-0.

City fans had a few nervy moments near the end of the game with a rare period of Telford pressure. It was hard to tell which club had the player advantage.

We Are Top Of The League….Say We Are Top Of The League

24 hours later we are 9th