DROYLSDEN 0 – 1 CHESTER CITY

Tony Downes Memorial Trophy – Saturday 1st August 2009

Report by Gary Owen

The FA's permission for the go-ahead of this fixture in memory of local soldier, Tony Downes, enabled Mick Wadsworth to assess his squad's potential against a more than useful Droylsden outfit.

The goal that separated the teams was worthy of winning any match, coming as early as the seventh minute. Alex Brown lost possession for Droylsden in midfield, and Lewis Allessandra gratefully accepted before progressing unchallenged to unleash a beautiful 25 yarder that had Chris Howarth beaten all ends up.

Prior to that, Lee Woodyatt misjudged the flight of the ball enabling Michael Lea a shot at goal, but Howarth saved at close range.

Droylsden's first chance fell to Alex Meechan after Simon Yeo had beaten Kevin Roberts, but John Danby was equal to the task.

Chester looked more likely to add to their lead, with Glynn Hunt heading straight at Howarth from Ben Wilkinson's cross, before Wilkinson set-up Allessandra with Howarth alert to his attempted chip.

Droylsden impressed after the break, but Chester still created chances, with James Owen being wasteful from Neil Ashton's cross, and Carl Ruffer blocking a certain goal from the Chester sub.

The Bloods piled on the pressure at the end. A Liam Brownhill free kick struck the foot of the post, with Carl Lamb and Tony Gray getting in each other's way from the rebound, before Steve Pickford's shot was charged down.

Lewis Craig's free kick caused mayhem in the Chester box and Pickford's cut back ran agonisingly along the face of goal with no red shirt able to add the final touch.

ATTENDANCE: 371

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 4/5

STAR MAN: Carl Ruffer (Droylsden)

SCORER: Chester City - Lewis Allessandra (7')




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