Nigel Preece reports from the Deva Stadium.
As we wandered glumly away from the Deva it felt appropriate for the Smiths most maudlin tune (though there's clear competition for that accolade) to serenade us on our way; in my case the half hour trudge back to the city centre. Hopes were a little higher earlier though the high confidence in some parts along with the doom and gloom emanating from our hosts did leave me feeling a bit nervous. We know football rarely follows the scripted path; I went for 1-1 in the prediction league, and one of my lunchtime drinking companions (albeit not known for his unbridled optimism) was quick to point out that our previous two visits had started with low expectations followed by delightfully positive endings. You can work out what his pre game forecast was then!
Chester is a fine city, with its history, architecture and, for this nerdy ale drinker, a wide and eclectic selection of pubs. Only two visited beforehand though, preceded by some food in the covered market, the Brewery Tap in the centre and after a stroll round part of the city's wonderful walls, the regular visit to Telford’s Warehouse. Even from the latter it's a 20+ minute walk to the ground, but heeding the home club's request to get there a bit earlier for their remembrance commemoration I was at the ground with 15 minutes to spare. Annoying then to see a hefty queue at the (singular) away turnstile. Extra annoying to not only miss the remembrance but the kick off and Chester’s first minute goal. Being all ticket the hosts knew how many were coming, several police officers apologised for the slowness, pointing out they'd requested extra assistance from the home club to no avail. Disappointing from Chester. I felt sorry for the sole turnstile operator who probably got dog's, not his fault, but people's frustration was understandable. If you're reading this expecting a blow by blow account of the goals well, because of the delay getting in, I'm sorry, I can't give you much on the first one.
A cross, someone claimed the ball was out for a goal kick (wishful thinking from what others said) and a free header and we faced an uphill struggle again. Like at Curzon and Warrington though, we did seem to regain our composure and without creating anything significant, regularly threatened. However as half time approached, it was Chester, their midfield gradually gaining dominance, who almost scored again, two scrambling saves from Chapman and an athletic, hamstring stretching goal line clearance from Preston keeping us in it. I mentioned Chester's strength in the centre of the park, we were playing Campbell and Babos deep and Tex further forward, it may have worked against dispirited Farsley 7 days earlier, but it most certainly wasn't working here and I was surprised there wasn't any obvious change, in personnel or shape after the break. If anything perhaps a slight tweak by the home side, if it was a deliberate tactical change to push up on our centre backs more then it certainly contributed to us losing any control we had.
About 10 minutes in, Rose turned impressively under pressure and bursting towards the area was cynically brought down. A yellow for the miscreant, Babos’ free kick just cleared the bar, perhaps as close as we got all afternoon.
Shortly after Jason Cowley come on to the delight of the away support for the well shackled Willo. He'd only been on a minute or two when Chester doubled their lead, some nice passing in midfield created space on the left, a good cross delivered quickly and a free header clinically finished by the impressive and hard working Peers; the Chester wideman deserved his goal, he had the nous to give Howkins a little nudge as the cross was about to be delivered, just enough to gain the space not enough to be penalised. We protested but the goal stood.
Preston and the ineffective Texeira were promptly hooked for Matwasa and D’Ath, the latter adding some oomph in front of the defence but we were no more creative going forward.
Cowley's absence hasn't dented his enthusiasm but his first significant contribution was to receive a card for a rash lunge after an all too typical, for this afternoon anyway, poorly weighted pass. His 30 minutes wasn't particularly memorable but it was great to see him back out there.
It does present Paul Caddis with another tactical challenge, Cowley is best paired with another striker, hopefully he'll work well with Rose as Gibson did back in August, but with Ahkeem pushed right here, Willo up front and Ceesay out left …. well, it's not my decision, but I'm an old fashioned 4-4-2 type.
Not long after Deacon came on for Babos the game was put out of reach, more good football from Chester, a low cross this time and Caton was able to divert home from about 8 yards.
A fellow fan decided enough was enough, after the grim train experience of Curzon two weeks ago he legged it for an earlier service home. He didn't miss a lot, Chester kept us at arms length, with all our changes (Tilt on for Rose too) it was perhaps as well they were mainly content to do that. Deacon and Campbell were both carded late on, the latter suspended next week so I was told.
Cowley Held Back?
It was a relief, frankly, when the ref put us out of our misery. Talking of misery, the post match music selection mentioned above did raise a wry smile and a discussion on what even more down beat offerings would be played after a home defeat. Either way, for me it's a great improvement on Sweet bloody Caroline, though I don't mind 500 miles after a home win. Called in the Pied Bull once I'd completed that trudge back to town. The pub has its own on site brewery with beers ending in bull. I tried Tangibull and Sensibull, neither really quite hit the spot, perhaps appropriate for the day. At least in this non stop league there's no time to dwell on a bad day at the office, we have the opportunity to put things right with two home games this week. It's been a pretty decent 3 months so far. No need for panic on the streets of Hereford quite yet.
Hereford: Chapman, Hudson, Preston, Howkins, Bartley, Campbell, Babos, Teixeira, Ceesay, Williams, Rose