Chester City point to lack of creativity as wretched 2008 continues

Jan 28 2008

CHESTER CITY’S wretched start to 2008 continued, when they went down to Coca-Cola League Two promotion chasers Rotherham United at the Deva Stadium.

City have only picked up one point from the last 21, a slump that means the club’s promotion dream is now in tatters and a possible fight against relegation looms.

Chester have lost their last three matches by a 1-0 scoreline and manager Bobby Williamson has highlighted the need for a prolific scorer.

He said: “It’s disappointing again. In our last three games there has been nothing in the matches. We have lost with the odd goal and there hasn’t been much in the three games really.

“We just need a break in front of goal, we need somebody with a bit of desire and I am sure that if we can get that it will all come flooding back for us.

“We need to stick together and work hard. I can’t fault these guys for effort but some of our confidence has dropped and we aren’t creating chances as we were in earlier parts of the season.

“There’s not much quality in the box and that’s disappointing, it’s the same guys here now who were doing the business for us at the start of the season so I hope they can come back into form and get a break sooner rather than later.

“The biggest disappointment is that we aren’t creating much. We really need our wide guys to provide ammunition and hit their form. I do think we have lost a bit in those areas.

“I’m hoping we can re-ignite it all sooner rather than later. All we can do is keep working hard and keep believing and hope that the fans stay behind us and encourage us all of the way.”

The only goal of a scrappy game came after seven minutes.

A throw-in from Tonges found Chris O’Grady, who turned his marker well on the edge of the area before firing a low shot past Jon Danby.

The City goalkeeper reacted too late to the effort, which should have brought a regulation save.

City’s only chance of note came in the final minute when a 20 yard thunderbolt from Lawrence Wilson went narrowly wide of the upright.

For most of the game Chester huffed and puffed but didn’t create any real worthwhile opportunities, which was disappointing for their supporters.

Striker Chris Holroyd again looked woefully out of sorts and at times his shooting looks about as incisive as Deputy Dawg‘s.

City have another chance to register their first victory of the year tomorrow when Rochdale visit the Deva Stadium.

CHESTER CITY: @Danby, Vaughan, Butler, Linwood, Wilson, Partridge, Roberts (Hughes 75), Welsh, Ellison (Sandwith 81), Murphy, Holroyd (Lindfield 65). Subs not used: Palethorpe, Grant.

ROTHERHAM UNITED: @Warrington, Tonge, Joseph, Sharps, Brogan, Harrison, Mills, Hudson, Holmes (Yates 69), O’Grady, Taylor (Ross 46). Subs not used: O’Donnell, Newsham, Hurst.

REFEREE:@ Tony Bates (Staffordshire). ATTENDANCE: 2,536.