As Chester FC Women are set to take on local rivals Warrington Wolverines in The North West Regional Divison One South on Sunday, let's take a look back the previous meeting between the two sides earlier this season.
The game turned out to be to a classic with four goals being shared between the two sides, Chester would go on to throw a two-goal lead away at half time as Warrington snatched a point after a much improved second half from the visitors.
The Blues went into the game on the back of a bit of hammering after going down 6-2 at league leaders Salford City Lionesses, whereas Warrington went into the meeting still unbeaten in the league having picked up four wins and three draws from their seven games so far.
With an unbeaten home record to protect the Seas began the game the stronger of two and had the games first big chance. A brilliant through ball from Sarah Gill found Rachel Lever who saw her shot bounce back off the crossbar and away. But a little over 10 minutes later Chester were ahead, midfielder Amy Smith picked the ball up around 25 yards from goal and unleashed a terrific shot catching the keeper off her line to out Chester one up.
Check out Amy Smith's brilliant opener below...
Following the goal, Chester were the side in control and enjoyed the share of possession but were soon nearly made to pay a Warrington corner whipped in was hacked off the line by a Chester defender to keep the Blues ahead. Warrington struggled to make inroads in the Chester half resulting in only two first-half shots.
Six minutes before half time Chester doubled their advantage. A corner from Rachel Lever was guided home from a few yards out by Sarah Gill. Chester went into half-time 2-0 up and firmly in control and look set to inflict Warrington's first defeat of the season.
Warrington began the second half the strongest and started to apply pressure to the Chester which was holding firm at present. 7 minutes into the second half Chester almost killed the game off, defender Katie Priest getting on the end of a corner and hitting the post. A miss that would prove very costly on 63 minutes Warrington reduced the deficit to 1 a long-range strike catching Waring unaware. 7 minutes later the game was turned on its head, a goalkeeping error from Waring saw the ball squirm under her body and Warrington were level.
with only 10 minutes left in the game, both teams were now pushing for a winner and on 82 minutes Chester nearly found it. Lever found herself through on goal but narrowly fired past the post, Chester had found their second wind as Warrington began to tire. Both sides pushed and pushed but the game ended 2-2 with both sides taking a point.
Ultimately Chester should have taken all three points from the game, but credit to Warrington for a brilliant second-half recovery. The Blues will be hoping to take all three points this time out, a game that is sure to be an entertaining one.
Check out manager Martin Fitzsimons' post-match comments following the 2-2 draw...
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