Ellison’s wing of change

Nov 30 2007 by David Triggs, Chester Chronicle

KEVIN Ellison relished his first taste of a Wrexham/Chester derby on Sunday – but he didn’t expect to end up playing in four different positions.

The City winger started off on the left, was moved to the right and then found himself playing at centre-forward after Nathan Lowndes hobbled off injured. When Tony Grant was forced out of the action with a hamstring problem, Ellison was pitched into central midfield and helped the visitors register a thrilling 2-2 draw.

He said: “I was left wing, right wing, then I went up front and then the gaffer told me to go in midfield. I don’t mind playing on the left or on the right or up front, but centre midfield is new to me.

“I didn’t know what to do. I was just listening to Mark Hughes and Kevin Roberts and they were telling me what to do. I just tried to do what I could for the team in there.”

During his spell on the left flank, Ellison engaged in plenty of banter with Wrexham fans sat in the paddock. Possibly fearing his player was overstepping the mark, Chester boss Bobby Williamson promptly switched him to the opposite wing.

Ellison added: “The atmosphere was brilliant. It was my first derby and I loved it.

“It was a tough game. They’ve got a new manager and the weather and the pitch didn’t help. It was a good old battle – a typical derby.”

Blues boss Williamson had complaints over both of Wrexham’s goals – the first coming when Michael Proctor raced in behind Paul Linwood.

He said: “We’re disappointed with their leveller. I think it was offside. I’ll have look at it on the video again, but it does no good. If the linesman has got it wrong, then it’s cost us really.”

While TV replays of the goal proved inconclusive, Williamson was also unhappy with Wrexham’s second strike – converted by Proctor after Paul McManus lost possession in midfield.

The Scotsman said: “It was a great goal from their point of view but we felt we should have had a free kick. McManus was kicked in the calf when the ball was played up to him and he’s been dispossessed. They’ve worked it wide and it was a great ball in for the goal, but we’ve wanted a decision when we’ve needed it most and we never got it.”

New Wrexham boss Brian Little was impressed by the visitors, who probably had the better of a tight, but often exciting, contest.

He admitted: “I felt when I looked at Chester they looked more comfortable with themselves, and were aware more of where their other players were, because they’re going well this season.”