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| Chester have consistently been the most impressive team in the Evo-Stik Division One North this season |
They went into the match knowing a win could ensure them a maiden title if other results went their way, and almost 1000 fans converged on the small town of Kirkham to cheer their team on to what could turn out to be a famous victory.
Chester FC were formed last year after ex-Football League side Chester City were wound up in March 2010. A phoenix club was formed by fans and City's former ground, the Deva Stadium, was leased to the new club by the council.
The club then applied for league status, and were accepted into the eighth tier of English football, where they would face teams such as Radcliffe Borough, Cammell Laird and, of course, Fylde; a far cry from their days in the higher echelons of the English football pyramid.
Since the start of the season, Neil Young's side have been the standout performers in the league, and by the end of February were twelve points clear at the top of the league. However, after a poor run of form through March, their lead was cut to just one point by Skelmersdale United. Both sides have since dropped points, with Chester going into their penultimate game of the season at Fylde with a three point lead over their rivals in the race for automatic promotion.
Fylde themselves have also had a good season, and went into the match sitting in 4th position and assured of a play-off place regardless of the result. However, with the play-off semi-finals consisting of only one match, a win was imperative if they were to stand any chance of gaining home advantage for next week's match.
Kelham O'Hanlon rested full-back Matt Lawlor whilst Matt Mahoney, Joe Booth and top-scorer Tom Cahill all missed out through injury, meaning Kevin Townson again led the line for the home team.
After 35 minutes of little incident, it was former Macclesfield and Rochdale striker Townson who gave Fylde a shock lead as he fired home from the edge of the box after Paul Jarvis' free-kick was blocked.
Chester looked devoid of ideas, and with news filtering through that Skelmersdale were 3-1 up at half-time in their match at Prescot Cables, their large hoards of supporters were beginning to become a bit twitchy.
Young brought on Chris Simm at half-time, and he began to provide a spark that was missing in the first-half as his pace began to cause the home side's defence a few problems.
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| Townson gave Fylde the lead with his first goal in 14 matches |
Four minutes later Chester were in front as Michael Wilde headed in his 37th goal of the season. The goal brought about scenes of jubilation with players, staff and fans all joining in with the celebrations.
Conceding two goals in such a short space of time knocked the stuffing out of Fylde as they struggled to forge any attacks of note due to the strong wind that was aiding their visitors.
With time ticking down the visitors made the points safe as Robbie Booth fired home from close range, and minutes later the referee blew the final whistle to spark a pitch invasion of around half the travelling supporters.
Skelmersdale hung on for a victory that meant that Chester cannot yet be 100% sure of promotion, but with one game to play they have a three point lead at the top of the table and have a far superior goal difference.
Chester now need just a point to guarantee promotion when they travel to Garforth Town on Friday afternoon, and I don't feel anyone would begrudge their fans a first title since City won the Conference in 2004.
As for Fylde, the result leaves them 5th in the table and almost assured of playing away at Skelmersdale next Monday afternoon, with victory setting up another away tie in the final, against either Chorley or Curzon Ashton.
After the match, O'Hanlon spoke to me about the game and the forthcoming play-offs:
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