Monaco Clinch League Title with hard fought 1-0 Victory!

After last weeks well earned 3-0 win away to Chester, Poulton Vics Monaco went in to this game at Kingsway, knowing that avoiding defeat would win them the League Title. Chester had to win this game and then hope that Shafts somehow upset the odds against Monaco in the final game of the season.

Chester are a very talented side and have scored over 80 league goals this season, but Monaco had already kept two clean sheets against them this season so it was an interesting matchup. Chester switched their normal system and flooded the midfield more, trying to push the game to Monaco from the off.

Monaco have played some fantastic football this season, but this game was going to be more of a battle to dig in and win the league. Within minutes of entering the game Vlad game off ill, and was subsequently sick on the line. Isaac then went down injured and had to come off for treatment for an extended period. It was far from an easy game, Chester were playing at a high tempo and getting as many players forward as they could, but Monaco stood up with Aden stopping more or less everything as the holding midfield player. The odd move that got through Leighton, Zak, George or Isaac managed to stop. Charlie made a great save from a longer range effort as Chester became increasingly frustrated.

This wasn't a possession domination like many of Monaco's games, in a high pressure game they were trying to hit Chester on the counter. Ellis and Ky getting on the ball in midfield as much as possible, with Seamus dropping back to put his foot in when necessary.

It was a game of very few chances, with both keepers quick off their line to pick up any loose balls, and both defences very much on top.

Midway through the second half Ellis cut in from the left, and waited for his opponent to commit and Seamus to start his run before poking the ball in to his path. Seamus ran on to the perfectly weighted through ball and guided the ball in to the corner of the net! 1-0 It was arguably the best chance of the game so far, and a well worked move between the two players.

Chester stepped up their fight as they knew they now had nothing to lose and threw everyone forward. They thought they'd scored an equaliser until the referee pulled it back for offside. The replay shows that as Leighton stepped out to press the ball the striker had stayed in an offside position. Ky had to come off after a stamp to his leg, but Monaco hung on and defended superbly as a team, with a very disciplined performance to see out the game 1-0 and become the League Champions! 5 points clear of Chester in second and Monaco still have a game in hand.

Video highlights in the overview tab.