Arngrove Northern League
26 December 2007
Single goal secures derby double
by Ken Milgate

Chester-le-Street 0

Durham City 1
Johnston 50

Adam Johnston’s shot into an empty goal five minutes after the restart divided the two sides in the end, but City had enough possession and chances to have sewn up a far more convincing victory, which was only Chester’s second home League defeat of the season and complemented City’s 4-0 defeat of their near neighbours in late August.

Pressing early down the left wing and down the slope, City won a corner and had a “goal” disallowed, both thanks to the efforts of Tommy English wing play.

Chester it was, however, who went closer to a legitimate score when Mark Anderson shot wide on 9minutes after receiving a right-wing cross.  A minute later Steven Richardson’s goal attempt from outside the box flew well wide of the far post.

Johnston forced Jonathan Carmichael to tip his shot away for a corner before John Toft skewed wide after a series of close-control dribbles.

Ever relentless, City were denied by Elliott Milburn’s excellently-timed tackle as the willing Richardson chased a through ball, but time and time again the ball ran away from City attackers courtesy of the ground’s contours and a following breeze.

On the hour Keith Graydon let loose from all of thirty yards, but the shot was too straight but still demanded a brilliant tip over save from Carmichael.

A minute later Richardson could only register a soft shot at the under-siege Carmichael before Richard Smith fluffed a Graydon corner with a cushion header wide of the post.

Five minutes before the break Richardson chased a Johnston pass only to be denied by Carmichael and a covering defender at the expense of a corner.

City were then let off for their profligacy when Jonathan Wightman hit the crossbar in a rare Chester breakaway, a constant hallmark of Cestrian football over the years.

The result was settled five minutes into the second half when Johnston, who minutes earlier had seen a shot on the turn from the edge of the box narrowly miss the target, slotted the ball into an unguarded goal after Carmichael had come and lost the ball on the edge of the box under pressure from Richardson.

The lead should have been wiped out ten minutes later when Anderson could manage no more than a soft shot with only John Mohan to beat after a left-wing move initiated by Andy Armstrong had prised City’s defence wide open.

City wasted countless more subsequent attacks as scoring chances were curtailed by indecisive finishing and offside decisions.

Richardson was deservedly manager-hugged for his spirited display when he gave way to Stewart Morris in added-on time, Graydon was a livewire all afternoon and Calvin Smith revelled in what is in my opinion his best position, namely sitting behind the front two; however, Stephen Capper seldom had time to draw breath as he featured in so many of City’s numerous attacks and rare defensive duties, earning in the process my nomination as man of the match.

Chester-le-Street – Carmichael, Donaldson, Draper, Gilhespy, Milburn, Armstrong, Allan, Cuthbertson, Wightman, Anderson, Craggs

Durham City – Mohan, Harrison, Capper, Smith (C), Bowes, Smith (R), Toft, Graydon, Richardson (Morris 90+), Johnston, English (Butler 76)

Subs not used – Davison, Caffry, Bell