Chester Fc v Hinckley Fc dec 29 th 2012

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• published: 29 Dec 2012
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Chester FC 3 Hinckley United 0: Blues win top-versus-bottom clash to go 15 points clear at top Dec 29 2012 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle CHESTER ended an unforgettable year on a high by recording an ultimately comfortable win which moved them 15 points clear at the top. Goals from Antoni Sarcevic, Iain Howard and Marc Williams ensured Neil Young's side put further daylight between themselves and their nearest rivals after second-placed Guiseley's match was called off. Guiseley, along with Brackley Town and FC Halifax Town, do have games in hand to cut the gap. But they will be rendered meaningless if the Blues can maintain the incredible form they have shown in 2012. The victory over rock-bottom Hinckley -- whose 13-man matchday squad arrived at the Exacta Stadium just 40 minutes kick off after getting stuck in traffic -- stretched their winning run to 11 matches. It also ensured they finished the calendar year having won 35 of the 41 league games they have played. Marooned at the foot of the table on zero points after their sole win of the campaign was taken away from them as punishment for failing to pay football creditors, there was talk before kick-off that Hinckley were going to be cannon fodder for a free-scoring Chester team which put five past Droylsden on Boxing Day. Yet to the frustration of the home supporters, it proved just that -- talk. The visitors, playing a flat back five and two deep-lying midfielders, set out to frustrate. And until Sarcevic produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock in the 36th minute, their plan worked to perfection. They would even have gone in front had Theo Brown showed more composure. There were 29 minutes on the clock when the pacy right-winger raced on to a flick on, nudged the ball past John Danby and, from a difficult angle, fired into the side-netting. The Blues, showing five changes to the side that started the 5-0 win over Droylsden, were lethargic in the first half but they led at the interval thanks to another example of Sarcevic's superb shooting technique. A diagonal ball into the area was knocked down by Dave Hankin and into the path of Sarcevic who, from 18 yards out, let it bounce before sending an unerring shot past Robert Peet. It was the midfielder's 11th goal of the season, just one shy of rested top scorer Ben Mills. Peet kept out headers from Williams before the break but it was the excellent Danby who made the save of the match, two minutes after the restart, after Hinckley were awarded a hotly disputed penalty. Fussy referee Daniel Meeson pointed to the spot after George Horan was adjudged to have made a foul off the ball. Max Harrop's attempt was well struck but Danby showed fantastic reflexes to dive to his left and palm it away. It proved crucial as, within 19 minutes, Chester were out of sight. Howard doubled the advantage in the 59th minute, the recalled winger tapping in his 10th of the term after Peet had seemingly brought Williams down in the box. It was left up to Williams to complete the scoring seven minutes later, the in-form striker stroking the ball past Peet to put a finishing touch to a lovely team move. The paucity of Hinckley's options were highlighted when their manager -- and former Chester City forward Carl Heggs -- brought on substitute goalkeeper Martin Conway as an outfield player. Yet Higgs' men kept going and they would have got the consolation goal they deserved had Danby not made a stunning stop from Brown. Chester: Danby, Baynes, Collins, Horan, D Williams (McGinn 53), Hankin, Brown, Sarcevic, Howard, M Williams (Turner 79), Jarman (Gray 75). Subs: Curran, Linwood. Booked: Sarcevic, Horan. Goals: Sarcevic 36, Howard 59, M Williams 66. Hinckley: Peet, Hicks (Stenson 61), Raglan, Richards-Everton, Towers, Hartland, Brown, Holt, Harrop, Cole (Conway 77), Marshall. Booked: Harrop. Referee: Daniel Meeson (Newcastle-under-Lyme). Attendance: 2,70