Penalty Heartache Ends United's Promotion Dream

by Jeff King

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Play-Off Semi-Final - Monday 28th April 2025 Jarrow FC 0 v 0 Chester-le-Street United Jarrow Win 4 - 2 On Penalties

Is there a crueller way to lose a game than on penalties? Probably not. Is there a crueller way to end a season? Probably not. Did Chester-le-Street United deserve to lose this game? Probably not. But they did and that as they say is that!

United have had a phenomenal season and nothing can alter that. Did they want to extend it for at least one more game? Of course they did and that is perhaps the only disappointment they'll take from a game they could easily have won.

But they have still had a season to celebrate. A fourth placed finish after a magnificent turnaround was no more than they deserved after being in the bottom three at the end of August 2024.

Along the way they've received many a plaudit and deserved praise for the way they have played and approached their task this season. The players have been exceptional, the coaches inspirational and the other backroom staff so supportive.

But now the chapter closes on another part of the United story with new horizons and changes in the offering as the Club reflect and respond to the future challenges. The off season promising to be a very exciting time.

It will of course be another season in the Second Division. That is a season that this young Chester side should embrace and approach with no fear whatsoever. They have proven they belong at least at this level and need to go again in 2025/26.

For the final game of this superb season United brought fit again Jamie Frizzel back into the starting with Nathan Conroy returning in place of Brandon Young who dropped down to the bench.

There was also a place on the strong looking bench for fit again Harley Lawton who had been expected to miss this game through injury. A timely boost for the United ranks.

Perth Green was packed to the rafters as 671 spectators squeezed in to smash Jarrow's record attendance and the game got underway in front of a lively atmosphere.

As often is the case in games of this magnitude the opening stages and in truth most of the first half was very cagey with defences on top and both sides approaching their task with caution.

On 8 minutes the first chance, and it was a good one, fell to the home side. Josh Willis' ball over the top saw Thomas Ions get to the ball just before United keeper James Hughes but his 16-yard lob under Hughes' pressure went wide.

United's only real reposte was on 11 minutes when Stephen Siyanbola was fouled on the halfway line by Darryl Donnelly. Michael Mallaburn put the free kick into the box where Jarrow keeper Jak Wells came out to well and punch clear.

Jack Armstrong then almost created an opening for his side as he went past United skipper Dylan Wilkinson. He tried to slide the ball through for Callum Johnston but Hughes came off his line to make a great claim.

Then a long ball from George Hayton almost found Johnston free but again there was Hughes getting to the ball first and then showing outrageous confidence by dribbling around Johnston and clearing his lines.

Twenty four minutes in and Jarrow created an opportunity at the edge of the box for Dylan Archer but his well struck effort deflected off Mallaburn for a corner. Levi Collins curling it in to the front post where Mallaburn headed clear.

Collins' second corner was deeper and landed dangerously at the back post but the United defence scrambled it clear for a corner on the opposite side. This time Archer the deliverer but Hughes stood firm and took the in swinger well.

Hughes then set-up a good United attack with a throw wide to Ben Gallagher who make good ground before finding Charlie Loveday who turned the ball neatly into Dylan Robson's path but his 20-yarder lacked power and Wells saved easily.

A long throw-in from Jarrow's left saw Alex Clark do well to head clear with the ball falling to Ryan Hardie. The Jarrow midfielder took aim and struck his effort well but it was always rising and went over the top from the edge of the box.

Mallaburn was then fouled midway in the Jarrow half by Collins. He floated the free kick in and Luke Hudson did well to head away for a corner under pressure from Siyanbola.

Mallaburn again the deliverer and his ball in was met well by Wilkinson on the volley 12-yards out but he, like Hardie, couldn't keep his effort down and it flew over the bar.

Reyhan Grimaud picked up a loose ball on the right hand side and drove forward with real purpose before cleverly finding Loveday on the edge of the box. The United forward turning well past his marker and then drilled a low left shot just wide.

Chester were now just about in the ascendency and Gallagher did well to win a corner off Hayton on the left. From Mallaburn's kick Wilkinson and Johnston battled for the ball.

It broke to Robson who played it to the byline to Siyanbola who made a great cut back into the danger area inside Hayton but could only bundle the ball wide from a tight angle.

The half ended just after Robson was booked for a foul on Johnston. It had been scrappy and nervous from both sides. Jarrow starting the better but United growing into the game and looking the more likely by the half-time whistle.

Chester continued that momentum and intent as the second half opened. Loveday finding Siyanbola on the right who put in a dangerous low cross that Hudson turned behind for a corner.

Mallaburn's delivery to the back post saw Wilkinson get up inside the six-yard box and head towards the top corner but Wells had time to get across and tip the ball over the bar.

Once again Mallaburn took it and this time the ball fell to Frizzel about 12-yards out with no-one in front of him but he was stretching and fired the ball inches over the bar as he leant back. A good chance and Chester looking dangerous.

Hudson found his way into the referee's book after a foul and an over reaction when fouling Siyanbola. Mallaburn floating the free kick in towards Clark who goot his head on the ball but it struck a defender and was cleared.

United brought Young on for Robson in an attempt to push forward their advantage but were nearly caught on the break when Johnston weaved through their defence and struck a low near post effort that Hughes did very well to save.

This was followed by a long-range effort from Collins that was straight at Hughes who saved easily as Jarrow tried to respond to United's possession. A substitution for either side saw Lawton replace Conroy and ex-United striker Benji Shodeinde replacing Johnston.

Grimaud was doing well at right back both in defence and supporting attacks. A long ball from him down the right finding Loveday who turned it inside the box to Siyanbola but United's top scorer shot well wide from 16-yards out.

Lovely play by Lawton and great feet saw him clip a great ball to the back post that Gallagher arrived late to try and get on the end of but Hayton showing great awareness got their first and cleared the danger for Jarrow.

With five minutes to go United had a great chance to take the lead. Siyanbola sending Loveday away on the left. He put a great cross into the Jarrow 6-yard box to find Lawton timing his run perfectly but not his volley that he put over the bar from point blank range.

Shodeinde presented his old team with an opportunity for another moment that they couldn't take fouling Frizzel on the left 30-yards out for yet another chance for Mallaburn to deliver.

His curling kick was virtually inch perfect as Frizzel stole in around the back but meeting the ball at pace could could only direct the ball wide of the target from a great position. United were looking the more likely but Jarrow were still around.

Shodeinde almost breaking through with only Clark to prevent him a clear run on goal. United's young centre back doing really well to time his challenge and dispossess the striker.

The ball falling to the following-up Collins about 22-yards out but he drove his effort straight at Hughes who once again saved comfortably when well positioned. Jarrow were making changes as the tie looked to be heading for penalties.

But United summoned up one last effort and it almost brought them rewards in the dying stages. Wilkinson finding Loveday in the inside left position just inside the Jarrow box. He controlled and then found Lawton about 12-yards out.

The left footed midfielder steadied himself and then struck a lovely low drive to Wells' right. It looked destined for the bottom corner of the net but Wells dived full-length and managed to turn the ball way with a superb save.

Then almost immediately afterwards a Mallaburn long throw was headed clear and picked up by Loveday just outside the area. His dancing feet took him left past two defenders and he was able to fire a 10-yard shot across Wells.

Once again though the Jarrow stopper was equal to the effort as he plunged to his left to parry the ball away with his defenders on hand to clear any further danger. Into injury time now and one final chance for the home side.

It came from a quick break that saw the ball arrive on the left to Donnelly who crossed into the box. Armstrong up with his attack got in front of the United defence but could only glance his header wide of the target from 8-yards.

It was the final action of a hard-fought, fully committed effort from both sides who just couldn't break the deadlock. Both teams have been amongst the best defensively all season and this game proved why.

Although it has to be said that Jarrow did need goalkeeper Wells to help them out in those final ten minutes and he was by far the busier of the two keepers on the night. But then again, keepers are part of the defence as well!

So, straight to penalties it was with no extra time played or scheduled. It was United that went first with skipper Wilkinson taking the responsibility. His low kick saw Wells dive to his left and just about keeping it out.

The ball squirming underneath him but his intervention slowed it down and prevented it crossing the line. Substitute Tom McIntyre an ex-Park View/Chester-le-Street player stepping up for Jarrow.

He drove his kick to Hughes' right. The United keeper guessing right and getting a good touch on the ball but narrowly failing to keep it out. Up next for United 17-year-old Gallagher who went to Wells' right but the keeper guessed right and made a fine one-handed save.

Substitute James Harper then stepped up, sent Hughes the wrong way and Jarrow had a two-goal lead in a five-shot contest. Mallaburn was next and he sent the ball left as Wells went right and the deficit was halved.

Only for Jarrow skipper Hudson to restore the advantage as he went left and Hughes went right. Lawton then also stepped up and sent Wells the wrong way to just about keep United in the tie.

But as Shodeinde stepped forward to take what could be the decisive penalty he was told to stop and return to the watching players as goalkeeper Wells strode across to take the potential winning kick.

He went left and Hughes couldn't get there and sent a delirious home team, players, coaches and supporters into raptures as United hit the floor. Wells cementing himself as a real hero for Jarrow and cementing his MOTM performance.

So, it's Jarrow that will welcome Thornaby FC on Saturday to Perth Green for the Second Division Play-Off Final game. Thornaby advancing after trouncing Yarm & Eaglescliffe 3 - 0 in the other semi-final. It'll be a tight game for sure.

For United as almost certainly the last time as a First Team as United, it was heart breaking and their post game dressing room was a sad place to be. However, coaches and Chairman raised the spirits reminding all of what a season its been.

This young United side have done themselves, the Club and the Town proud. They have been a credit to all and showed that as a project they have a formula that can and does work and one that is the envy of many.

How they respond to adversity and learn from the lesson is anyone's guess. As is who will be around next season to try and bounce back. But the formula is set, the vision is clear and it'll be another season to treasure and look forward too.

Someone said, 'Winners Don't Always Win.' Oh how true that was in this game.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Reyhan Grimaud 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Dylan Robson 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Alex Clark 7. Nathan Conroy 8. Michael Mallaburn 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Ben Gallagher 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Dan Robinson - DNP 14. Harley Lawton (for Conroy 68 mins) 15. Brad Hughes - DNP 16. Brandon Young (for Robson 54 mins) 17. Dom Hughes - DNP

MEN Of The MATCH : The Whole Squad.