Goalless end of season proves Chester must seek a striker

May 5 2008

CHESTER CITY brought the curtain down on their rollercoaster Coca-Cola League Two season with a tedious goalless draw against their Cheshire neighbours at the Deva Stadium on Saturday.

This was City’s third consecutive 0-0 stalemate, and whilst it didn’t have the tension of the previous couple of matches against Shrewsbury Town and Stockport County when the threat of relegation was on the cards, it classically highlighted some of the club’s major shortcomings.

When City manager Simon Davies draws up his summer shopping list this week, he will surely be looking to add at least one quality striker to the squad for next season, otherwise another disappointing campaign could be on the cards.

John Murphy has had an excellent season but on too many occasions the veteran striker has lacked a competent partner who can take advantage of the knock- downs and confusion he creates in opponents’ areas.

Apart from pushing a delicate lob from Richie Partridge over the bar in the second half, Brain in the Macclesfield goal was rarely troubled, and with leading scorer Kevin Ellison again sidelined through injury, goals were always going to be as rare as hens’ teeth on Saturday.

The only real opportunity of a turgid first half was a snap-shot from John Rooney, the 17-year-old brother of Wayne, who rattled the City bar with an effort from the edge of the area on his Football League debut.

With Grant and Hughes failing to make any meaningful impression in the heart of Chester’s midfield, their only real threats came down the flanks where Partridge and Rutherford performed well, but unfortunately nobody had the ability to get onto the end of the crosses when they came in.

A clutch of substitutions by both sides in the second half meant that the paucity of entertainment descended even further and both sides seemed content to settle for a point, as even the insomniacs in the crowd began to quietly nod off.

It is patently obvious that the Chester squad needs to be supplemented and improved.

The heart of defence requires bolstering, whilst the midfield engine room is a massive concern, as is a lack of a partner for Murphy.

The next month or so will be crucial for City, as the squad for next season begins to take shape.

If the problems aren’t addressed, then season 2008/09 could be as fraught and worrying for City’s faithful supporters as this campaign has been.

After the match Davies said: “I thought a draw was a fair result. Both sides battled well, but it was a typical end of season game.”

CHESTER CITY: @Danby, Vaughan, Kelly, Linwood (Roberts 46), Sandwith, Partridge (Rule 72), Hughes, Grant, Rutherford (Mitchell 55), Murphy, McMannus. Subs not used: Palethorpe, Wilson.

MACCLESFIELD TOWN: @Brain, Teague, Walker, Dimech, I Reid, L Reid (Edghill 73), Tolley, Ashton, Green (Evans 63), Rooney, Gritton (Blackman 63). Subs not used: Thomas, Cresswell.

REFEREE:@ Jon Moss (Leeds).

ATTENDANCE: @2,396.