Cheadle Town 2-4 Chester FC - Match Sneak

Neil Young too a step closer to his dream of lifting the Cheshire Senior Cup as a strongish Chester side ran out 4-2 winners against hosts Cheadle Town.

Young continued his ploy of not letting goalkeeper John Danby play in the CSC, plumping instead to play Martin Fearon in the "Adam Judge Role".

"Danbo's a top keeper, but I don't think his game suits the Senior Cup," said the Chester boss.  "It's a different tempo, the football is played at a blistering pace.  Players putting themselves in the shop window for the Premier League teams who are undoubtedly looking in."

Young called up youngsters Sean Miller and Tom Peers into his side, but the teenagers were forced to sit on the bench until they'd finished their A Level History coursework.

The Blues went behind as Ben Brooks netted the first goal of the game for the hosts, whilst the 129 in attendance tried to do something about the blocks of ice forming around their ankles.  Things picked up for the visitors shortly afterwards, as Antoni Sarcevic tapped one in whilst larking about in an offside position.

"I saw the lino was distracted, asking someone in the stands to get him a cup of tea from the refreshment stall.  I took my chances and got the goal.  Genius," grinned "Sarce".

The former Crewe midfielder doubled his tally for the night moments later, swivelling nicely to finish.

"Antoni's been watching Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday nights, and he's picked up some good tips," nodded Young.  "It was an excellent pivot to hook that ball in.  He did some good pirouetting and side-stepping throughout the game, and even shouted "seven!" in a silly voice at half time, which just slayed the lads in the dressing room."

Meanwhile, Wes Baynes continued his habit of only scoring goals which register a perfect 10 for technical merit, lashing one into the top corner from way out.

"Cards on the table, if a two yard tap in ever comes along, I'm gonna make sure I shank it wide," admitted Baynes.  "I basically want my career to look like a Goal of the Season montage.  Football's not about goals.  It's about boss goals."

The Seals looked to be cruising at half time and Blues keeper Fearon sensed that the frozen fans may wind up in suspended animation if the game petered out.  Spying his opportunity from a Cheadle free kick, the former Lancaster gloveman comically fumbled the ball into his own net to set up a tense finale to the game.

It was left to Tony Gray to ensure safe passage through to the next round, the striker netting his first goal in Chester colours.  Gray was delighted to have silenced his doubters, before realising that the lack of noise was actually due to the low attendance.

Manager Young expressed his delight at the result, though some Chester fans continue to believe the tournament to be pointless.

"When you think about it, isn't ANY occasion where a bunch of men meet up to kick a synthetic pig's bladder about a little pointless?", mused philosopher Gunther Brainwitzer