Chester Are Champions Of Cheshire

Chester won the toss and decided to play with the wind and rain to their backs so the teams exchanged ends before the one minutes silence for the Far East Tsunami victims. It was to be a good decision as for the first half it looked like monsoon season at the Moss Rose.

There was an early scare for the home fans as Brown appeared to be in on goal with only Wilson to beat, but somehow Wilson plucked the ball away. Into the teeth of the dreadful weather, the Macc attack could not get going. Little flicks and plays would go astray before they could get into the Chester danger zone. Chester had the weather to their backs and on 13 minutes Drummond made a good turn and shot that carried over the Macc bar.

The game took on an almost surrealistic appearance as suddenly bright light poured onto the Moss Rose pitch and in this strange glow, Macc took the lead on ninteen minutes. A right wing corner was taken by Tipton, Strong appeared to flick the ball on and MIKE SHERON managed to retrieve it wide of the far post. It didn't look dangerous but the Macc man turned and cut inside and his whipped in shot went past Mackenzie into the visitors goal.

On 25 minutes, Ellison burst through the Macc defence and it took a good blocking move by Harsley to stop the danger. Three minutes later, a Macc free-kick in by Tipton was flicked up by a Welch header but Sheron couldn't do anything with the second header. At the other end, Belle tried a long range shot that Wilson got well behind. Macc were now well under pressure as the visitors forced a series of corners that finally ended when Wilson gathered the ball.

Another Macc free-kick on the left and Potter's ball in was cleared to Whitaker who fired it back in just over the crossbar. Brown was then given a free header for Chester but he couldn't aim the ball in on goal. Macc broke forward at speed for once, Sheron and Whitaker interpassed before Tipton got the ball and his chip shot bounced just wide of the goal, the ball appearing to be carried wide by the wind. Then just before half time, with the rain and wind back at their worst, Belle and Welch chased for a long ball. The Macc man appeared to be pushed into the hoardings, but referee Rennie took no action.

Into the second half and Macc looked forward to having the wind and rain to their backs but someone up there must be a Chester supporter for the rain all but stopped and the wind decreased. Navarro burst through the Chester defence but his shot went wide. Macc continued their policy of defending by hoofing the ball back to Chester around midfield and the visitors continued to defend by fouling any danger away, safe in the knowledge that Macc make little of their chances from any free-kicks.

Macc had a great chance to double their lead as Mackenzie made a diabolical charge out of his area for the ball. Realising his mistake, the keeper scampered back and managed to block Parkin's shot. Chester started to apply pressure and looked as if an equalising goal must come. Although Macc were choosing to defend in their own area, they did so doggedly. Twice Harsley making great flicks away as Chester men arrived on goal.

Macc attacks were few. Tipton and Parkin made a little interplay before Whitaker shot for Mackenzie to make a diving save. On 69 minutes, Macc did score - after Tipton and Parkin set up a chance that was fired in, Whitaker finished the move off but the linesman's flag was up.

Then on 77 minutes Chester equalised. There appeared to no danger as the Macc defence played the ball across, but the ball was fed on to STEWART DRUMMOND who stepped up and fired in a volley to Wilson's top right corner. The Moss Rose was stunned. The visiting fans couldn't believe their luck and it was about ten seconds before they realised they were back in the game. Macc gained yet another free-kick just outside the Chester area, this time Potter's free-kick was put onto the crossbar and spun away for a goal kick.

Then on 81 minutes it got worse for the home fans. KEVIN ELLISON had earlier entertained them with his wildman impersonation but a Chester corner was cleared out to him and he smashed it back into the same spot that Drummond's goal had picked out. Ellison obviously enjoyed the moment and Rennie took no action.

And that was really it. Macc did force a goalmouth scramble, but Rennie spotted some infringement this time and with the visiting fans very wet but happy, Rennie blew for full time.