Chet Pay The Penalty

<p style="text-align: justify;">27 September 2009

<p style="text-align: justify;">Chet Reublic 2&nbsp; Midland Strollers 2 (after extra time)

<p style="text-align: justify;">Midland Strollers won 5 - 4 on penalties

<p style="text-align: justify;">This week Chet played host to Midland Strollers of the Cannock Chase League in the Staffordshire F A Cup.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Disaster struck early in the game when a defensive slip up gifted Strollers the opening goal.&nbsp; Chet pressed throughout the remainder of the first half but failed to capitalise on their dominance.&nbsp;

<p style="text-align: justify;">Strollers only threat came from a number of well taken corners which Andy Thomas dealt with comfortably.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Ryan Tait was introduced at half time; shortly afterwards Steve Bailey and Adam Bonser joined the fray.&nbsp; The reorganised midfield of Jon Mayer, Gavin Horsfall, Stuart&nbsp;Talbot and Dan Lowndes took control of the game. Chet pushed forward continuously and the equaliser eventually came in the 75th minute when Ryan&nbsp;Tait&nbsp;headed in a through ball from Shaun Jessop.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Chet could have taken the lead almost immediately&nbsp;as Styart&nbsp;Talbot's brilliant 35 yard shot cannoned back off the cross bar with the defence&nbsp;well beaten.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Five minutes later Strollers, on a rare foray, regained the lead from the penalty spot.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Chet refused to give up and their efforts were rewarded in the eighty fifth minute when Ryan Tait turned and neatly slotted home from&nbsp;the edge of the penalty area.&nbsp;

<p style="text-align: justify;">Two chances to wrap the game up were spurned in the final exchanges and the game went into extra time.

<p style="text-align: justify;">Both teams fitness faltered&nbsp;and extra time ended&nbsp;in stalemate.&nbsp; The game was decided by&nbsp;penalty kicks which&nbsp;Strollers won&nbsp;by five goals&nbsp;to four.

<p style="text-align: justify;">A cracking game which provided many positives most notably the return of our much cherished team spirit; maintaining this progress will see us climb up the league and, hopefully, win trophies in 2009 / 2010.

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