Chester - Mini Report

By: Mike Worden
Date: 24/10/2004

TWO defensive mistakes within two minutes of each other late in the first half cost Town the chance to pick something up from their first ever game at the Deva Stadium and brought to an end the Mariners unbeaten run.

Chester, kicking towards the Town fans, settled into the game much better than Grimsby. With Jason Crowe missing the game through injury, Andy Parkinson played in a deeper left sided role. New loan signing Jon Daly played up front with Colin Cramb with Michael Reddy on the bench.

On a number of occasions in the first half Town's defence had looked more than a little vulnerable but the deadlock was finally broken on 38 minutes when the defence closed down on the Town left but left Michael Branch unmarked. The former Everton and Bradford striker then beat Williams to put the home side into the lead. Within a couple of minutes Branch got his second when he easily dispossessed Forbes and chipped Williams.

In stoppage time of the first half, Grimsby pulled a goal back from a Jon Daly shot from the right that appeared to be aided by a deflection.

Town came out for the second period and immediately looked brighter. More chances were created in the first five minutes of the restart than in the whole of the first half.

As the game went on the passing and movement between the Town players improved and Daly went close with a number of chances. One of the best came from a delightful cross from Sestanovich which was met by an overhead kick from the Stockport player. Parkinson and later McDermott could have levelled it for Town.

With around 10 minutes left Chester brought on Daryl Clare, met by applause from the home fans and many of the Town fans. Reddy replaced the ineffectual Cramb, but Town just couldn't get the equaliser, despite being the better side for the second half.

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