Stalybridge Celtic 2 Chester FC 1: Fightback not enough as Blues exit Cheshire Senior Cup

Nov 8 2011 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER were knocked out of the Cheshire Senior Cup last 16 despite a strong second-half fightback.

Higher-league Stalybridge were full value for their two-goal half-time lead. But they were second best after the break and Robbie Booth's late strike set up a grandstand finish.

The Blues, showing four changes to the side which started Saturday’s FA Trophy victory over Stafford Rangers, got off to the worst possible start.

They fell behind in the third minute when Craig Hobson fired an unstoppable 18-yard drive into the bottom corner and then lost key midfielder Michael Powell to injury two minutes later.

Powell picked up the knock in the first minute of the match and Neil Young will be hoping it is not more serious than a dead leg given he will be without Ashley Williams for most of the campaign.

Stalybridge, managed by former Chester City boss Jim Harvey and featuring two Blues old boys in their starting line-up and two more on their bench, doubled the advantage midway through the opening period.

New England C international Connor Jennings escaped down the right and pulled the ball back for the totally unmarked Stephen Brogan, who had the simple job of volleying in from 10 yards.

The passing and movement of Harvey’s full-time team, riding high in second in the Blue Square North, was impressive and Joel Bembo-Leta came within inches of heading in an inswinging Brogan corner.

Chester’s distribution and ball retention was disappointing in the early stages. But they improved as the half wore and they should have been awarded a penalty on the half-hour mark when Craig MacGillivray clearly brought Chris Simm down in the box.

The goalkeeper escaped and then made a good save from Iain Howard after full debutant Luke Holden headed a whipped Liam Brownhill centre just past his post.

Then it was the turn of Adam Judge, making his first appearance of the season, to make a flying stop as Greg Wilkinson went close from 25 yards.

Both keepers continued to be busy after the break. Judge got down low to deny Brogan and Callum Warburton either side of MacGillivray reacting smartly to prevent Christian Smith from heading in a Wes Baynes free kick.

Chester had a let off when substitute Dennis Sherriff nodded against the bar, but it was the Stalybridge goal that was coming under the most pressure.

Booth, not long after coming on, headed an excellent opportunity wide before Andy McWilliams cleared a goal-bound George Horan header off the line.

MacGillivray was enjoying an excellent debut and he made a stunning double save from Howard in the 78th minute.

But he was finally beaten eight minutes from time when Booth flicked in a Brownhill cross for his third goal in three games.

It was now one-way traffic and after Baynes volleyed over, only Michael Taylor will know how he failed to score from three yards out after Horan headed a Baynes corner back into the danger area.

Stalybridge: MacGillivray, Rea, Bembo-Leta, Lynch, McWilliams, Warburton (Kay 70), Brogan, Wilkinson, Gnahoua, Hobson (Austin 66), Jennings (Sherriff 59). Subs: Ellams, Marsh.

Booked: Warburton.

Goals: Hobson 3, Brogan 22.

Chester: Judge, Brownhill, Horan, Taylor, McGinn, Baynes, Powell (Brown 5), Smith (Booth 61), Howard, Holden, Simm (Wright 70). Subs: McNeil, Ormrod.

Booked: Smith, Holden.

Goal: Booth 82.

Attendance: 203.

Referee: Richard Bartlett (Sale).