For most of this season, Chester supporters have been wondering whether their A or B team would be turning up for the match. Well on Saturday it looked as if the Z team turned up, as they crashed 5-1 at home to Billingham Town, only seven days after winning 4-2 at their place. Billingham Town went straight on the attack from the kick-off and in side the first minute, Jonanthon French cut in from the right to fire a shot across the goal which went just the wrong side of the post. Chester had a good chance to take the lead after 15 minutes. Nicholas played the ball outside a defender to Ben Johnson on the right. He hit a low diagonal ball across the goal but Nathan Fisher just failed to make contact as he slid in at the far post. Billingham continued to push forwards and it was no surprise when they made the breakthrough after 31 minutes when Shaun Clarke turned well on the left of the gaol to fire into the net. Billingham doubled their lead after 40 minutes when a free kick came off the head of Andy Armstrong and the ball hit the inside o0f the post and rebound across the goal for Jonathon French to tap in. After 42 minutes Craig Price moved forwards to het a shot from 30 yards but the keeper managed to gat a hand to the ball and turn it for a corner off the bar. Billingham increased their advantage on the stroke of half-time when Shaun Clarke fired in from 25 yards. The second half proved no different as Chester failed to make any ground against Billingham. Billingham scored again after 59 minutes when a long clearance from the keeper, was latched onto by Christopher Musgrave and he ran on to fire home. Chester did create a chance on 69 minutes when Chris Hunter made ground down the right and hit a good cross into the middle, but Nathan Fisher could only head the ball downwards and it was cleared. Billingham made an immediate break and Ian Dixon was penalised for a foul, although the decision looked rather harsh, and Shaun Clarke converted the penalty to complete his hat-trick. Chester scored a consolation goal after 84 minutes when Ben Johnson cut in from the right and passed to Craig Price who flicked the ball on for Nathan Fisher to fire home. Amazing that we could play so well seven days ago but then plummet the depths with that performance on Saturday.
Team: Josh Carmichael, Chris Hunter, Robert Palmer, Damian Maw, Andy Armstrong, Ian Dixon, Nicholas Kane (Robert Bird, 69 mins), Craig Price, Nathan Fisher, Rob Draper, Ben Johnson. Subs Not Used : Colin Wake, Luke Gilhespy, Kyle Bird, John Murray.
Crowd: 87
Referee: Mr. G. Beswick, Newton Aycliffe
Assistants: Mr. R. Brine, Redcar & Mr. A. Duffy, Middlesbrough