Youth News

    Prescot Cables 0-1 Chester FC Youth

    Chester FC Youth maintained an unbeaten start to 2017 with a 1-0 victory over Prescot Cables in the NWYA Premier Division. Ryan Dobson got the only got the only goal of the game in what was a hard fought victory for Calum McIntyre’s side.

    Ilan Ap-Gareth had the first real chance of the game, his glancing header just landing over the bar before Ryan Dobson couldn’t keep his own header down minutes later. Neither side mustered any great spells of possession on a tricky surface with both sides favouring a more direct approach given the conditions.

    The best chance of the half fell to the home side, Joe Nash robbing possession and racing through on goal, only to fire the ball against the outside of the post and out for a goal-kick with only James Hodges to beat. Tom Crawford had the best chance for the visitors, his run from midfield taking him past the home defence but firing wide of the far post.

    The second half started in a similar vein to the first with neither side really able to dominate possession. Ilan Ap-Gareth twice fired high and wide before Alex Downes headed wide of the near post after a superb deliver from Nathan Brown.

    The breakthough did finally come for the visitors fifteen minutes from time, however. James Jones reacted first to a set piece, firing the ball across the box for Ryan Dobson to bundle home from close range with the home side left to appeal for an offside. It was now about defensive action at the end of the half, Hodges twice called upon to collect crosses but the Blues stood firm to seal another three points away from home.

    Academy Head Coach Calum McIntyre said: “That was an ugly game of football. With craters all round the pitch it became impossible to have any real spells of possession and we were forced to be quite direct which isn’t like us. That said, there is a real delight with the players as to how they adapted and they deserved the victory for their sheer hard work. We said it might have to come from a set piece and ultimately that got us the win.

    “It’s a really tough to division for us to play in this season given that we have one of the youngest sides in the league. We have coped really well with some of the challenges, seven of the nine games we have played have been away from home and we continue to perform and meet the challenges.

    “It will obviously be dominated by Curzon and Fylde so we are really pleased with the lads and the run of form that we are putting together.”

    The Youth Team are next in action next Sunday when they visit Altrincham FC Youth in the North West Youth Alliance Open Cup. Kick off is 1.30pm at Hale Country Club.