Match reports from April 2025

Wednesday 30 April
Chester 2 Buxton 1 (after extra time)
National League North Play-Off Eliminator
Attendance: 4,066 Half Time: 1-1 Full Time: 1-1
Booked: Woods, Woodthorpe, Murray.

Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Peers (Mottley-Henry 62), Willoughby (O’Kane 57), Woodthorpe, Leak, Woods (Mooney 76), Bainbridge, Murray (Rawlinson 116), Roberts. Subs not used: Brown, Lambert, Burgess.
Buxton: Grant, Lusala (Trueman 70 (Viggars 111)), Mann, Faulkner, Kirby (De Girolamo 111), Elliott (Martin 106), Brennan, Coleman (Sault 86), Johnston (Popoola 81), Burton, Ewing. Sub not used: Cooper.
Referee: Kavan Hurn.

It was a late finish on the last day of April – after half past ten when the final whistle blew. Prior to that Chester and Buxton played out an intense couple of hours plus stoppage time. As the prospect of a penalty shoot-out hove in to view, Harrison Burke lashed in Bainbridge’s lay-off to send the Deva into wild delight. Celebrations were exuberant borne of sheer relief and contributed to the four added minutes which extended this match deep into the night.

As extra time arrived Chester looked to be out on their feet after fighting to hold their ground against a Buxton side looking to control possession and launch quick-fire raids down either flank. But when the first additional half began City pressed with a new found energy. Three of the substitutes on the night contributed fresher legs – Mooney and Mottley-Henry down either flank and Taelor O’Kane in midfield. Twice Mottley-Henry tested the keeper as he fired shots goalwards. Burke rose magnificently to meet Weeks’ cross but headed over and O’Kane’s shot was easily held by True Grant in the Bucks goal.

By now the Blues were attacking the South Stand under the lights. Two hours earlier in bright sunshine they got this eliminator tie off to a flying start as Murray hit a first-time shot from the edge of the area which eluded Grant and found the goal’s corner. It was an ecstatic start after two minutes but – with eighty-eight still remaining there was time for the stunned visitors to recover. As they settled into a rhythm they began to send searching balls down the wings and threatened through the skill of Brennan and the energy of Johnston. Brennan fired a free kick over the bar after Woodthorpe had brought Johnston down.

When Brennan went down the left wing minutes later he tormented both Roberts and Woods as they tried to block him and chipped a clever cross to the far post. Johnston was able to tap it back across the six yard line for Elliott to control and finish for an equaliser.

It was the Blues turn to be rocked back but they dug in to maintain parity. Buxton had the lion’s share of possession but created nothing meaningful until just before half time when Johnston found space to attack once more down the right. His cross shot was touched at full stretch by Storer on to the post and the Chester keeper gathered the rebound gratefully.

Willoughby was starved of opportunity – though he created a promising sight of goal for Peers in the first half. Under pressure from a defender as the second half began he lofted a snatched chance over the bar. O’Kane replaced him as City tried to establish more control on the ball but then Peers went down with injury a few minutes later and had to be substituted by Mottley-Henry. Connor Woods finished a fleet-footed move which a shot on target before Mooney came on to take his place for the last fifteen minutes of the ninety.

Both sets of supporters maintained their raucous encouragement as the final whistle approached – though as frustration increased, the noise became tinged with anxiety. Somehow City found the inspiration to increase the intensity of their play – inspired by Murray’s perpetual motion to drive them forward. First Bainbridge and then Burke gestured the crowd to get behind them following sterling bits of play from both. It culminated with the decisive moment of the match when – on his one hundred and fifty first appearance for his hometown side - Burke hammered the ball into the net at the Harry Mac’ End.

City endured the remaining tension-saturated minutes. Connell Rawlinson came on to shore up the defence for Buxton’s last onslaught which concluded when substitute De Girolamo launched their one clear opportunity high over the bar into the night sky.

The Blues reaped the reward of victory which their depth of resolve and character had enabled. Soon they must prepare for a tough encounter at Aggborough but tonight’s performance will only strengthen their belief.

Colin Mansley

Pictures © Rick Matthews

Saturday 26 April
King’s Lynn Town 0 Chester 3
National League North
Attendance: 1,645 Half Time: 0-3
Booked: Mooney.

King’s Lynn Town: Jones, Ronan (Barnes 67), McFadden, Coulson (Warburton 33), Wilson, Crowe, Taylor (Marsden 74), Johnson, Hmami, Margetts (Sass 81), Crane. Sub not used: Boyes.
Chester: Brown, Hunter, Briscoe, Rawlinson (Leak 89), Willoughby (Turner 65), Lambert, Mottley-Henry, Bainbridge (O’Kane 46), Heywood, Burgess, Mooney (Rosenblatt 70). Sub not used: Storer.
Referee: TBA.

Despite making wholesale changes to the line-up Chester end their league campaign with victory at King’s Lynn.

• Final league table |

Monday 21 April
Chester 2 Marine 1
National League North
Attendance: 3,173 Half Time: 1-0
Booked: Woodthorpe.

Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Peers (Mottley-Henry 63), Willoughby (Rosenblatt 90+1), Woodthorpe (Mooney 79), Leak, O’Kane, Woods, Murray, K.Roberts. Subs not used: Lambert, Burgess.
Marine: Metcalfe, Brown, Butler, Shaw (Thomas 46), Wardle, Whelan (Fielding 76), Sinclair-Smith, Scarisbrick (Doyle 83), Gregson, Murphy, Grant (Robinson 73). Sub not used: Sloane.
Referee: Calum Morris.

Having booked a spot in the playoffs on Friday, Chester were posed the question whether they could ensure it would be a home tie. A win would guarantee City finishing no lower than fourth. Marine arrived, though, in fine form having secured their safety under the guidance of Chester legend Neil Young.

The Blues were turned around for the first half and faced the Harry Mac. They came forward in waves as they sought an early lead. Murray got free on the overlap and fired in a cross; Willoughby had a shot on target from a pre-rehearsed corner routine. Then on ten minutes Burke got free of his marker at another corner to head precisely in off the post for a glorious opening goal.

The Mariners’ team were tall in stature and physically imposing and strove to respond. Scarisbrick glanced a corner on to the bar and Leak made a vital goal-saving tackle as Murphy bore down on the rebound. Peers worked hard to protect the ball as Chester lofted it forward and had to put up with what looked like excessive manhandling and shirt pulling from the opposition but his appeals to the match officials were in vain. Left back Shaw was eventually shown a yellow card for an undisputed foul and was withdrawn at half time. His replacement was former Blue, Adam Thomas.

With the visitors looking to threaten from set pieces it looked like City would need another goal to feel comfortable. Ironically it arrived from a Mariners free kick which was hoisted clear by Weeks into the opposition’s half. Brown struggled to control the bouncing ball as it came down, Murray nipped in and lofted it over the advancing keeper and into the net for Chester’s second.

Murray’s effort proved decisive as Sinclair-Smith pulled one back for the visitors, hooking in from a crowded penalty area following another set piece launched into the box. Makeshift substitute Chris Doyle nearly shinned in an unlikely equaliser in the closing minutes but the Blues held out for the win.

The result and those elsewhere means that they are likely to be at home to whoever finishes in seventh spot after Saturday’s final round of fixtures. There is an outside chance that they could finish third but would need a combined goal swing of twenty with Scunthorpe. The players took up well deserved applause in their lap of honour after the game and signed autographs in the fan canopy afterwards. After the visit to Kings Lynn at the weekend, a first eliminator beckons.

Colin Mansley

Friday 18 April
Southport 0 Chester 1
National League North
Attendance: 2,383 (1,081 Chester) Half Time: 0-0
Booked: -.

Southport: Renshaw, Doyle, Lloyd, Quansah, Hilton (Thomson 76), Minihan, Stafford (Burgess 63), Russ (Angus 63), Philliskirk, Curran-Nicholls (Heath 63), Pickles. Sub not used: Hoey.
Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Willoughby (Peers 69), Lambert (Mooney 54), Woodthorpe, Leak, O’Kane, Woods, Murray, K.Roberts. Subs not used: Rawlinson, Mottley-Henry, Burgess.
Referee: Oliver Noonan.

The Blues travelled to Southport for a Merseyside derby knowing that a win would secure a play-off place. Thanks to Connor Woods’ third goal in as many matches they managed to achieve this after a hard fought battle with the Sandgrounders.

City began attacking the Scarisbrick End and might have taken an early lead when Weeks and Lambert forged an opening for Willoughby. As the Chester number nine bore down on goal he hit a fierce shot which grazed the bar as it flew over. Calum McIntyre span around in disappointment. The game became more attritional. Burke headed the ball forwards an innumerable number of times. Southport tried to gain ground along the touchline for Doyle to launch his long throws into the box.

The evergreen Kevin Roberts was vigilant in defence and then, as City came forward towards the end of the first period he found space to put the ball across Southport’s six yard box. Willoughby looked to finish but the ball seemed to be taken off his toe as he was set to pounce and the Sandgrounders’ goal remained intact.

Chester increased the pressure after the break and forced a number of corners as they kicked towards their increasingly soggy supporters on the Blowick End - but still the goal would not come. Then the home side made a flurry of substitutes and began to threaten at the other end. Angus, one of the replacements, aimed a header on target but straight at Storer.

Mooney replaced a tiring Lambert and Peers came on for Willoughby. The two of them combined to set up the only goal of the game. Weeks’ forward ball found Peers who played a one-two with Mooney and he curved an inviting cross into the box. As Southport defenders watched and Peers made a distracting move, Woods stole in on the blind side and launched himself horizontally to head the ball back into the far corner. He followed this up with an outrageous cartwheel and backflip as he celebrated the breakthrough.

It was enough to ensure a narrow win and confirm a place in the end of season play-offs for the Blues. Mission accomplished with two League games to go. The knock out matches will offer a difficult challenge but for now even the increasing intensity of the rain could not douse the Blues’ high spirits.

Colin Mansley

Saturday 12 April
Chester 2 Darlington 1
National League North
Attendance: 2,412 Half Time: 0-1
Booked: Murray.

Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Peers, Willoughby (Mottley-Henry 65), Woodthorpe, Leak, O’Kane, Woods, Murray, K.Roberts. Subs not used: Lambert, Robenblatt, Burgess, Mooney.
Darlington: Jameson, Hedley (Cornish 87), Barrow (Hetherington 75), Platt (Adams 75), Lees, Hatfield, Maskell, Main, McGowan, Kelly (Salkeld 67), Storey. Sub not used: Griffiths.
Referee: Ben Tomlinson.

Steve Watson’s Darlington came to the Deva knowing that only a win would give them a realistic chance of getting in the play-offs.

They barely managed to cross the halfway line in the first twenty minutes as City pushed them back on the defensive. Woods came closest to scoring with a glancing header from Weeks’ cross but Jameson pulled off a fine save. When Darlington did counter they did so with devastating effect. Cedric Main’s reverse pass set McGowan free and as he cut into Chester’s box he had the composure to beat the blocks of three defenders before steering his shot into the far corner of the goal.

City responded but for all their pressure it was the visitors who came closest to scoring next when a speculative ball from Barrow into no-man’s land saw Main reach it first and prod it fractionally wide of the post. A second goal would have been difficult to recover from as well as being against the run of play. A quick free kick led to Willoughby just failing to connect with Peers’ driven cross and then Weeks saw a snap shot parried by Jameson. City were unable to get on level terms by the break but were encouraged that they were creating opportunities.

The Blues broke through shortly after the break courtesy of a fortunate penalty. A clever flick from Woods found Murray and his cross found a defender’s arm. The referee pointed to the spot immediately and Peers sent Jameson the wrong way with his penalty. Chester were now in the ascendancy and took the lead when Leak knocked Weeks’ corner goal-wards and Woods flicked it past Jameson and a defender into the net. Woods’ enjoyed the acclaim for his first goal at home in front of the Harry Mac Stand.

Woods came close to adding to his tally with a header that landed on the roof of the net and a low effort as the game rolled in to stoppage time. Murray was awarded Chester Man of the Match for his indefatigable running and the Blues held Darlington at bay to claim a vital three points.

Colin Mansley

Saturday 5 April
Hereford 2 Chester 2
National League North
Attendance: 4,017 (425 Chester) Half Time: 0-1
Booked: Woodthorpe.

Hereford: Richardson, Coates, Preston, Hudson, Skinner, T.Campbell, D’Ath (Babos 33), White (Cowley 84), Sterling-James, Ceesay (Williams 71), R.Campbell. Subs not used: Derricott, Mitchell.
Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Peers, Willoughby (Mooney 87), Woodthorpe, Leak, O’Kane, Woods (Mottley-Henry 78), Murray, K.Roberts. Subs not used: Lambert, Rosenblatt, Burgess.
Referee: Darius Bradley.

Victory slipped from City’s grasp as Hereford snatched a stoppage time equaliser in the Spring sun at Edgar Street.

Chester seemed to have coped fairly comfortably with everything that the Bulls had thrown at them since regaining the lead. Jimmy Storer appeared to catch a left wing cross in the third minute of added time but lost it in the dazzling sun momentarily and Hereford sub Cowley stabbed in the loose ball to deny the Blues a win that their performance merited.

After a fiercely combative first period, City had taken the lead as half time approached. Weeks knocked a free kick wide to Woodthorpe and the left back’s cross held in the breeze while Peers beat the offside trap and headed past a hesitant Richardson in the Hereford goal. Earlier Peers had seen an effort acrobatically cleared off the line by Kieran Coates – newly on loan from Boston with a number twenty-four taped to the back of his shirt but no name. Richardson saved another goal-bound Peers shot when he stuck out a leg to block.

Hereford had little by way of clear chances when they came forward and were fortunate not to go down to ten men when D’Ath caught Connor Woods as he was clearing the ball forward. D’Ath, already on a yellow card was substituted soon afterwards.

Soon after the break the home side were level when they won a fortunate corner – the ball seemed to be kicked out by one of their own players. The corner kick was deflected into the path of White on the edge of the box and he was able to fire it home.

Blues responded with intensity and were ahead again soon. Murray’s superb pass found Weeks’ run to the by-line. The City skipper’s cross reached Woods at the far post and, though he stumbled he was able to recover and score his first goal for the Blues.

Chester pressed forward for a third and clinching goal – Peers rifled a shot narrowly over the bar; Matt Preston almost diverted Woods’ free kick into his own goal – but for a last ditch save by Richardson; and as the game moved into the last ten minutes, Willoughby latched on to a flick on by Peers to send a venomous half volley fractionally over the bar.

City could not find that vital third goal and when Omari Sterling-James hung up a cross more in hope than expectation it led to the unfortunate conclusion as far as Chester were concerned. As they emerged into the bright but blinding sunlight, City fans and players could take heart from a fine performance, full of character and attacking spirit which deserved a better result. They remain in the play-off places and with plenty to play for in the final four league games of the season.

Colin Mansley

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