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Chester City v Plymouth Argyle,Tuesday 28th November 2000
FA Cup First Round Proper (Replay)
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 V 2 CHESTER CITY (aet) att:3,264
McGregor (73) Whitehall (42),Ruscoe (107)
Blues cap superb performance with a late winner from sub Scott Ruscoe in extra time to send the blue army home happy
What a night it was for everyone connected with Chester City Football Club.It was heartstopping,you couldn`t even watch it with five minutes to go it was that nerve racking but the blues showed grit and determination to progress into the Second Round of the FA Cup.
Apart from local derbies only the Cup can produce nights like last night.The blues played like they had a point to prove since being relegated and they proved it in style taking the lead twice in a game they thoroughly deserved to win.It was a team effort all 11 men on the pitch played their hearts out and like in the first match made their oppenents look like the non-league side.The first 20 minutes was all City.On eleven minutes Steve Whitehall hit a freekick from just outside the box which John Hodges did well to get down to.Whitehall again tested Plymouth keeper Hodges five minutes later when he hit a volley on the turn which went just over.It was Whitehall yet again a couple of minutes later who hit a snapshot which was deflected over the bar.The home side then started to come into the game.A Plymouth corner on twenty seven minutes caused problems in the City area,Craig Taylor connected to the ball with a free header but it was magnificently cleared off the line by....yes you`ve guessed it Steve Whitehall.The home side came forward again three minutes later.Paul McGregor was clean through on goal and was just about to pull the trigger on what would have been a certain goal but the outstanding Carl Ruffer produced a wonderful last ditch clearance to prevent him from putting the Argyle one up.Wayne Brown was called into action six minutes before the break,Plymouth forward Steve Guinan got a touch to Martin Phillips teasing cross but Browny produced a instinctive save.It was then the blues turn to attack,Paul Carden broke down the right his cross was missed by two Plymouth defenders before it landed at Mark Beesley`s feet,he hit it but it was saved by Plymouth keeper Hodges who couldn`t hold onto it and it came to Steve Whitehall six yards out who had the simple task of tapping it in the net.The teams went in 1-1 at the break.
In the second half the blues started off the way they finished many matches last season and sat back and let Plymouth come at them.In the 55th minute Plymouth`s hero from the first match Jason Peake planted a firm header wide of the post from a Paul Beswetherick cross.Two minutes later and Fleming played a one-two with Martin Barlow.Flemings cross was cut out by Wayne Brown though before it caused trouble in the City area.McGregor who always looked most likely to score for the greens hit a curling shot just wide and Barlow also went close before new Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock through caution to the wind and opted for a four man attack as he put Ian Stonebridge on up front.Ten minutes after Stonebridge`s entrance to the game the Pilgrims where level.Stonebridge and Mcgrgor played a one-two on the right wing before McGregor drifted into the City box and placed a good shot pat the hapless Brown.Matty Woods was then thrown on to steady the ship by Graham Barrow.His first touch was to concede a corner which caused problems in the City box before Matty Doughty cleared it off the line.The blues where denied a late winner in normal time though when Chris Leadbitter`s last ditch tackle stopped a certain Beesley goal.
Into extra time the game went and Steve Whitehall came close to connecting to a Ruscoe cross past Hodges in the Plymouth goal.Then it was Wayne Brown`s turn to produce the save of the game.Ian Stonebridge crossed the ball into the area and Brown made a superb reflex save from a Kevin Wills goal bound effort.Wright and Whitehall went close in the first half of extra time before Brown again made a superb save from Paul McGregor.Everyone was now prepared for penalties as both sides became tired.Paul Beesley did well to again deny Paul McGregor as he cleared the ball off the City line.But on 115mins City took the lead and the control of the tie.Scott Ruscoe made a great through run the ball found its way to him thanks to an Andy Porter flick and he rounded the keeper and placed the ball first time into the Plymouth net to send the blues fans wild and into chants of 2-1 to the conference boys.The last 5 minutes where unbearable to watch but the blues did enough and now progress to the Second Round where they must fancy their chances against a struggling Oxford side.My only thought is why can`t they play like this in the league?If they did we would be top by now,theres no doubt about that.
Man Of The Match:Its got to be a joint award again.Everyone played magnificantly but Wayne Brown kept the blues in the game and Carl Ruffer made some outstanding challenges at the back.
Chester:Brown,Fisher,Doughty,Lancaster,Ruffer,P.Beesley,Carden,Blackburn,M.Beesley,Whitehall,Porter Subs:Ruscoe,Moss,Gaunt,Wright,Woods
Plymouth:Hodges,Fleming,Beswetherick,Wotton,Taylor,Phillips,Barlow,Leadbitter,Peake,Guinan,McGregor Subs:Sheffield,Barratt,Wills,Stonebridge,Gritton
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