FA Vase Second Qualifying Round 15 September 2012

CHESTER LE STREET TOWN V NORTON & STOCKTON ANCIENTS

 

Another sunny Saturday for a cup tie and this week it is the FA Vase at Moor Park, Chester Le Street. The out of town ground behind the Chester Moor pub is pleasantly ramshackle with most of the 100 or so spectators in and around the stand behind the team dug outs. From the seats there is a good view of the pitch and also, on the hills opposite, the distinctive Greek temple-like Penshaw Monument.

Both teams were spared the first qualifying round, and both are already out of the FA Cup; so for one team the cup run ends here, for the other a trip to Washington or Jarrow Roofing awaits in the next round. Although Norton are in division 1 of the Northern League, division 2 Chester have home advantage so a competitive game is likely.

Chester, in blue and white hoops, apply the early pressure but Norton, in amber and black, hold them and get back into the game winning the first corner after 10 minutes. Chester keeper Crook punches clear but Norton threaten again with a shot from Woodhouse, a number 10 with a trick or two, and hair to match; and then from a free kick from left back Wells.

Chester respond with a good left wing cross to the far post where Jukes heads just wide; and then a when free kick on the right is whipped in left footed by McDonald, centre back Donaldson glances a header into the net to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

The game now becomes end to end, but not in a good way – first time clearances upfield and too much header tennis in the middle. The football competes for attention with the extreme scootering undertaken by the kids on the terracing behind one goal. However as half time approaches a flurry of action regains focus on the match.

Chester lose possession on half way and the ball finds Norton centre forward Hume clear for once of his marker (the impressive Robson). His angled shot is powerfully hit but wide of the far post. Norton too have chances; from a cleared corner Clarke sets up Woodhouse on the edge of the box but his precisely placed effort is read by Crook and tipped over the bar.

The half time verdict is that Chester Le Street have had the better of a scrappy but competitive half, showing more control and more accurate passing. Their simple approach of long ball into three nippy forwards, Forsyth, McDonald and Lynch, to hold and work openings for each other or supporting colleagues, at least gives them some structure. Norton & Stockton have been less coherent: Clarke stands out in midfield for his industry and presence and Woodhouse shows skill when he can get into the game. They have looked dangerous only from corners and free kicks.

At the start of the second half both keepers are called into early action but cope easily. Then about 10 minutes in, the officials make a controversial call. The ball is knocked over the Norton defence where Forsyth is clearly in an offside position. He knows it so ignores the pass, and while the Norton defence stand and wait for the whistle, teammate McDonald races through onto the ball, draws the keeper and passes square for Forsyth, who has now joined in the attack to slot home. Now the assistant referee has his flag up – whether relating to the original offside or a new one is between him and his conscience, but either way the home fans are not happy.

Worse is to come as Norton immediately go on the attack where Woodhouse works his way down the right and crosses for Hume to force in a shot under severe challenge to make it 1-1. He is left in a crumpled but happy heap, able to limp back into action after treatment.

With all to play for the tempo picks up and tackles get a bit more intense; one goes too far and leads to a booking for Chester’s Buzzeo. Norton’s Clarke escapes with a good telling off for his dissent. A fierce shot from Scope is Chester’s best effort at a response but increasingly Norton are on the attack. Shots from range, crosses and, most dangerously, corners hung under the bar, give Crook plenty of punching practice.

Midway through the half, Clarke and Buzzeo challenge for a high ball in midfield. The referee blows but as Clarke begins to complain about the decision it is Buzzeo who is in trouble. The referee indicates an elbow, shows him a second yellow card and just like that Chester are down to ten men with 20 minutes left.

Buzzeo’s departure is exacerbated when his midfield partner Jukes has to be substituted. This gives Clarke more room to boss the midfield and Norton pour forward for the winner. They get joy on both flanks but cannot produce the killer ball or telling shot on target. So at ninety minutes it is still 1-1 and, being the Vase, it is straight to extra time.

It takes only 6 minutes to break the deadlock. Norton’s full backs combine, with Wells crossing deep from the left for an unmarked Lilley to power in a header coming in from the right. That should be that for Chester, but the referee, nothing if not consistent, again sees an elbow fly in a challenge for a high ball. This time it is Norton substitute Storr who is guilty, and his short cameo ends with a red card.

So at ten a side Chester could be back in with a shout; but with a few walking wounded they rarely threaten. Credit to Norton who continue to look for a third rather than play for time. After a couple more yellow cards the final whistle signals the end of a hard fought game.

Norton upped their game in the second half and looked the more likely winners once Chester lost Buzzeo and Jukes and left Norton’s Clarke unfettered in midfield. Norton go on to play another division 2 team away and will have hopes of progressing further.