No Neighbourly Love As Town Damage Play-Off Hopes

Charlie Loveday On The Run

by Jeff King Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 4th April 2026 Park View AFC 0 v 1 Chester-le-Street Town

They came down off The Moor and into the Town Centre with intent. And in doing so carried out their mission to get back in the play-off race whilst damaging Park View's hopes with a hard-earned 1-0 win.

It will be a week or two before we'll know exactly how much Town got from their win and how much it will hurt PV. But it was certainly not the result that the home team wanted nor needed. No neighbourly love shown at all.

Not that any would be expected. In this life you have to work hard and earn your rewards. Park View certainly did the first part of that and probably deserved more than they got. But Town were resolute and determined and took the day.

One area which will have pleased the Park View contingent and hierarchy was the crowd. A huge attendance of 515 smashed Park View's record attendance by some distance and showed what is achievable on derby days like this.

Park View went into the game unchanged from the game seven days previous against Tow Law Town. The only amendments being the two Ethan's Connelly and Lowery returning to the bench.

With the wind as seemingly ever the game kicked off with anticipation high. The very first forward movement of the game showed how tough tight and competitive the game was likely to be.

Park View's skipper Dylan Wilkinson clattering into Nathan Stephenson some 25-yards from goal with the Town players immediately surrounding the referee for retribution. A free-kick was the decision and nothing else.

Stephenson stepping up and driving a long range low effort that James Hughes in the Park View goal got down to his right to make a good parry to. His defence clearing their lines on the follow up.

The response from PV was a superb run down the left from Charlie Loveday who skipped away from a couple of tackles but was upended by Tyler Brownsword before he could put in a telling cross.

The free kick was level with the 18-yard box and taken by Jacob Mallinson who could only put his delivery into the Chester wall with the visitors clearing their lines well.

Zac Boddy then fuled Keallan Huddleston just inside the PV half. Stephenson striking the resultant free kick deep into the Park View box where it was headed clear. Dan Marriott picking the loose ball up.

He took aim and hit a crisp 20-yard right foot effort that although was not far wide of the post Hughes watched all the way past and was completely untroubled by.

A Park View long throw from the right into the box by Dylan Robson was headed out for a corner by Brownsword. Mallinson and Loveday tried to work a short routine between them but the Chester defence dealt with it comfortably.

At this stage it was set plays that seemed the way forward for both sides as defences were already getting on top. Town keeper Nick Liversedge taking the next one and striking it deep into the Park View box.

Dylan Robson got up well and headed clear only for the ball to fall to Town's top scorer Scott Robson but he could only volley well over the bar from a decent position on the edge of the box.

On 16 minutes Park View had the best chance of the game thus far. It came from another free kick that Mallinson found Ben Gallagher with. Gallagher's neat touch set up Jamie Frizzel 14-yards out but he dragged his left footer wide.

Park View were now beginning to get on top with Loveday a menace on the left and drifting across the pitch as well. A superb run down the left saw him reach the byline where he cut a great ball back to Boddy.

Boddy's first time shot was blocked well by Brownsword with the ball ricochetting to Ollie Taylor. His 22-yard snapshot was well hit but Liversedge dived across to his right to beat the ball away.

Wilkinson then played a ball forward that Niall Armstrong challenged for in the centre of the park. The ball though bounced over both him and the challenging Jack Honour to be picked up by Gallagher.

Gallagher taking control well and surging into the box before hitting a right foot cross shot that beat the diving Liversedge but flashed narrowly wide of the far post. Another good chance gone a-begging.

Then when Frizzel played a ball down the left for Boddy to chase Park View were afforded another chance. Jack Chapman slipping and allowing Boddy the ball that he squared to Armstrong just outside the box.

Armstrong swept a left foot shot at goal which was not far wide of the post although in fairness Liversedge looked to have the effort covered. Park View were then given a warning that Town were still in the game.

Huddleston's ball forward was cleverly flicked on by Marriott into the path of S. Robson. As he looked to control and get his shot away he was thwarted at the expense of a corner by Wilkinson's timely tackle.

The corner delivered by Marriott was well dealt with and cleared from danger by the Park View defence. Then Matty Weirs nutmegged Frizzel inside the box laying the ball to Marriott whose connection failed to trouble Hughes.

Chester's goal arrived on 40 minutes. A long clearance by Liversedge was flicked on by a S. Robson header. Reyhan Grimaud hesitating too long and allowing the ball to bounce over him inside his own box.

It fell nicely for Stephenson about 12-yards out who hooked it high over the advancing Hughes head and saw it drop into the empty net to give the visitors a precious lead. Hughes stranded after his defence did not deal with the flick-on.

A blow to Park View who almost got level in first half injury time. Wilkinson coming out of the back line to pick up a loose ball driving forward and then unleashing a great 25-yard drive.

It was heading for the top corner of the net until Liversedge stretched high and long to tip the ball over the bar in fine style. Mallinson took corner, Honour headed strongly clear and the referee ended the first half with Town in front.

Park View started the brighter in the second half but were finding it hard to create chances against a well organised Town defence where Brownsword and Honour stood strong and firm.

PV withdrew Taylor and Boddy on 52 minutes sending on Brandon Young and Stephen Siyanbola in an attempt to distrupt the Town defence, Almost immediately Young's creativity and Siyanbola's bustle nearly paid off.

Honour making a great last ditch challenge on Siyanbola as he attempted to run through on to Young's clever flick. Park View pressing but Town once again standing firm and clearing their lines long at every opportunity.

From a Stephenson free-kick well collected by Hughes, PV launched a quick counter attack. Frizzel making progress down the left and playing a great 1-2 with Young before winning a corner off Chapman.

Loveday and Mallinson worked it short for Mallinson to curl a wicked ball to the back post where Wilkinson went for the header but did not make contact as he was met by a strong challenge from Brownsword. A goal kick the decision.

On 62 minutes Park View were indebted to keeper Hughes who kept them in the game. Frizzel fouling S. Robson wide on the right. Stephenson curling the free kick into the six-yard box dangerously.

Huddleston had a point blank header that took a deflection on it's way to goal. Hughes somehow changing direction in mid-air and producing a brilliant reflex save to keep the ball out with his defence scrambling the ball clear.

Park View then sent on Harry Laydon for Ollie Taylor inm midfield and immediately had another reasonable chance. Laydon finding Mallinson who had switched to the right in space.

His pinpoint cross found Siyanbola about 8-yards out. The PV striker making a good connection with a firm on target header but the direction was straight at Liversedge who saved comfortably.

Liversedge cleared his lines only for Laydon from the halfway line catch it full on the volley and send it back at the Chester goal. It sailed over the head of the scrambling Liversedge only to bounce just inches over the bar.

With 11 minutes to go and Park View unable to break down the gritty Town rearguard it was the visitors that almost doubled their lead. A Stephenson free kick half cleared and falling to Scott Robson.

He hit a crisp half volley from about 10-yards out that flashed past Hughes but on the line was Gallagher to make a spectacular clearance to prevent Town doubling their lead.

Then it was Park View's turn to be thwarted. Good work by Frizzel and Young combining on the left winning them a corner off Chapman that Mallinson delivered well.

Wilkinson was there inside the six-yard box to get his head to it and divert it past Liversedge only for Chapman to clear off the line. The loose ball being prodded goal wards by Siyanbola where Honour made a brave block.

Then skipper Nicky Little took one for his team as the game ticked into injury time. Loveday producing a superb searing run from half-way that took him into dangerous territory before Little upended him to receive a yellow card.

Laydon and Gallagher lined up the 22-yard free kick with the latter getting the nod to try his luck. But his effort was straight into the well-positioned Town wall who then cleared their lines once again.

The last effort of a game that probably lived up to derby day expectations. Not a lot in it either way and always tight and tense. The final whistle bringing joy to Town and despair to Park View.

On the balance of play and chances a draw may have been a fairer result. That assessment may well only come from a Park View prospective. Town dug in well got their lead and defended it manfully and ended up with their just desserts.

Park View remain in the last play-off position for now but with only one game to go are very vulnerable in that spot. Even a win at Billingham Town may not be enough with both Seaham Red Star and FC Hartlepool having games in hand.

But all Park View can do is control their controllables. A win next weekend and then fingers crossed and although they are not now favourites for the play-off places, favourites do not always get over the line.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Reyhan Grimaud 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Ollie Taylor 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Dylan Robson 7. Niall Armstrong 8. Jacob Mallinson 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Ben Gallagher 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Brandon Young (for Taylor 52 mins) 14. Ethan Connelly (Not Used) 15. Harry Laydon (for Armstrong 65 mins) 16. Stephen Siyanbola (for Boddy 52 mins) 17. Ethan Lowery (Not Used)

PLAYER of the MATCH : Charlie Loveday