Chester City FC: Kevin Ellison rallies Blues with half-time blast

Mar 2 2009 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

MARK Wright revealed harsh half-time words were the inspiration for Chester City’s stunning fightback on Saturday.

But while the Blues boss had plenty to say in the home dressing room after Dagenham and Redbridge took a deserved two-goal lead into the break, it was experienced striker Kevin Ellison’s war cry that sparked a second-half revival which ended with City snatching a precious point.

“First half, apart from three players, I thought they were appalling,” said Wright after the 2-2 draw. “They thought they were players before they even decided to go into the battle, which you have to win before you can go and play your football.

“Square passes, not closing down in the midfield area, defenders not doing their jobs, like I said, three maybe four players did well. If you’d been in there at half-time and heard what was said, you wouldn’t have been able to print it.

“It was Kevin Ellison who actually said it first. He said ‘we think we’re a team before we’ve actually won the war’. I was waiting for someone to say it as it was going to come from me anyway.

“There was nothing productive, nothing strong, nothing committed in the first half and yet, with the same instructions at half-time, they went out and deserved to get something from the game.

“Whether we deserved to win it is another matter, but we deserved to win the second half that’s for sure.”

After David Mannix and Kevin Roberts brought the Blues back from the dead with late headed efforts, Ryan Lowe, whose pinpoint deliveries set up both goals, fluffed the chance to seal City’s first victory of 2009.

From just three yards out, the top-scorer missed his kick as his goal-drought stretched to eight games. But Wright had nothing but praise for Lowe, who had a strong penalty appeal turned down moments before Mannix broke his duck for the club.

“Ryan Lowe, in recent weeks, has started doing even more,” said Wright, who saw centre-back Shaun Kelly limp off. “He’s got great ability on the ball and now all we want is a goal to go in for him because the effort he has been putting in has been first class.”

Wright continues to remain hopeful that the transfer embargo imposed on the club will be lifted.

“If we can get some players, players of my ilk, players that I want to stamp my mark on this team, this team wouldn’t be in trouble,” said Wright. “It’s whether or not we can achieve that.

“But I know the chairman is working everyday to get it lifted and, if we can, we’ll turn the corner.”

Chester, who are at Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow (March 3), face a crucial clash at fellow League Two strugglers Barnet on Saturday.