Chester FC 2 FC United of Manchester 1: Blues fightback to win Supporters Direct

 Source: Chester Chronicle

 By Paul Wheelock

 TEENAGER Joe Ormrod enjoyed a dream debut as Chester staged a late fightback to beat their league rivals and claim their first silverware of the season.

The 16-year-old midfielder hammered home an unstoppable equaliser before fellow substitute Alex Brown tapped in to cap a dramatic comeback which ensured Neil Young’s men won the Supporters Direct Cup.

Young, however, was not entirely satisfied with the afternoon’s work. His biggest grievance was the reactions of his captain George Horan and star striker Michael Wilde after they were the victims of late challenges.

Both had cause for complaint but the Blues boss felt there could no excusing behaviour that would have seen the influential duo red-carded in a competitive fixture.

It has to be said, though, that at times this was a ‘friendly’ in only but name and there are sure to be a few scores to settle when the sides meet four games into the Evo-Stik League Premier Division season.

Lee Neville opened the scoring in the 31st minute but up until that point it was the hosts who looked the likelier as Wes Baynes twice stung the hands of James Spencer.

But a neat and tidy FC United team – whose line-up was close to their first-choice starting XI – weathered the storm and took the lead through left-back Neville, who headed home a Nicky Platt corner that Robbie Booth failed to clear.

Backed by a large and vocal support, the visitors began to dominate and Adam Judge did well to tip a Danny Stott 30-yard drive over the bar.

Chester’s response was to make eight changes at the break. Given the Manchester outfit began to follow suit shortly into the second half, it came as little surprise that the game died a death until a poor Martin Parker tackle on Wilde sparked the second melee of the afternoon.

Wilde, along with FC United captain Kyle Jacobs, was subsequently asked to leave the pitch. That gave Ormrod the chance to impress – and boy did he take it as he smashed in a stunning 22-yard strike into the top corner to level the contest in the 81st minute.

Three minutes later and the turnaround was complete.

A quick John Danby throw out found the marauding Mark Connolly, who advanced to the edge of the area before picking out Liam Brownhill.

It was the right pass and so was Brownhill’s as midfielder Brown had the simple task of stroking the ball into the net from four yards out.

And that was that, although Carlos Roca missed a glorious chance to equalise when he skipped past Danby but could only fire into the side-netting.

Chester FC: Judge (Danby 46), Stones (Brownhill 46), Horan, Taylor, C Williams (Marsh-Evans 46), Booth (Connolly 61), A Williams (Brown 46), Barnes (Powell 46), Baynes (Wright 46), Simm (Wilde 46, Ormrod 68)), Howard (Reed 46).

Goal: Ormrod 81, Brown 84.

FC United: Spencer, Jacobs (Grimshaw 68), Jones, Stott (Parker 60), Neville, Wolfenden, Platt (Holden 60), Cottrell, Metcalfe (Roca 46), Carrs (Battersby 60), Norton (Deegan 60). Subs: Ashton, Edwards, Devenney.

Goal: Neville 31.

Referee: M R Jones.

Attendance: 1,927.