JOHNSON REFUSES TO MOAN AT BLANK
BOTH SIDES can be pleased with a share of the spoils after this thoroughly enjoyable goalless draw.
With both keepers in outstanding form, neither side had that little bit of magic to make a breakthrough, but it would be churlish to be too critical of either strike force.
The nearest either team came to breaking the deadlock came when Chester’s Anthony Dudley rattled the visitors’ bar midway through the second period.
After the game, both teams’ managers were upbeat about their clubs’ respective performances, Chester’s joint manager Anthony Johnson reflecting: “For a goalless draw, I thought it was a really enjoyable match. Both teams tried to play football, and that made for an exciting spectacle.
“Make no mistake about it, they will be up there in the top six or seven at the end of the season.”
Johnson continued: “Both goalkeepers were in outstanding form. Grant Shenton made three excellent saves, whilst at the other end I thought their keeper had a similar match.
“Defensively, we did well, and isn’t Danny Livesey a great organiser?”
The Spennymoor Town boss, Jason Ainsley, said: “I was pleased with the performance, possibly a bit disappointed that we didn’t take our chances, but then again, it really was a good game of football.”
Reflecting on Matthew Gould’s performance between the sticks, Ainsley said: “That’s what he’s there to do, but yes, he did have a good game.” Chester edged the first period with their best opportunity coming midway through the half. An excellent move between debutant Shaun Tuton and Dan Mooney saw the ball fed to Dudley, who shot inches wide. Mooney found space toward the end of the half and fired inches wide of the upright with a 20-yard effort at goal. In the second period, Gould made stunning saves to deny Tuton on two occasions, whilst Dudley was unlucky when his ten-yard effort rattled the bar and went to safety. Shenton then made good saves to deny Stephen Brogan and Dudley, whilst at the other end substitute Craig Mahon scuffed a shot at the goal with only Gould to beat from 15 yards.