National League North
Attendance: 1,584 Half Time: 0-1
Booked: Woodthorpe.

Radcliffe: Hewelt, Jackson, Duxbury, Smith, Maynard, Hancock (Navarro 71), Hulme, Roscoe, Walker (Dudley 71), Sargent, Greenfield. Subs not used: Mode, Partlington, Owolabi.
Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Rawlinson, Peers, Woodthorpe, Woods, Bainbridge, Murray (Burgess 89), K.Roberts, F.Roberts (Mooney 58). Subs not used: Hunter, Willoughby, Pollock.
Referee: Alex Beckett.

The match programme featured new signing George Glendon – returning to the club where his father, Kevin, was manager in the nineties and noughties for over twenty years. Part of the transfer agreement between Chester and Radcliffe meant that he could not play this evening. There were plenty of other ex-Chester players who were eligible to participate including Brad Jackson, Matt Sargent and Anthony Dudley not to mention managers Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson.

City started with the same eleven that had won at Scarborough on Saturday and began by being pressed back by the home side who had beaten Hereford at the weekend. Tom Walker fired a shot towards goal which Storer palmed away. Later Walker spurned a good chance to open the scoring after Jordan Hulme had tripped through the Chester backline and laid the ball in to his path.

Gradually Chester asserted themselves. Peers and Fin Roberts began to have some joy going forward, while Burke and Rawlinson mopped up at the back. Roberts lifted a free kick over the bar after he had been brought down in a dangerous area. Several corners were hoisted to the far post but – in first half stoppage time – Weeks aimed one squarely into the middle of the area. While all defensive eyes were on Burke, Peers stole in to nod it into the corner of the net.

Whether it was the psychological blow of scoring just before half time or playing down the slight but definite slope, Chester dominated the early period of the second half. Radcliffe struggled to get out of their half as Bainbridge, Weeks and Murray took it in turns to rob them of possession. Fin Roberts was withdrawn on the hour mark and replaced by Dan Mooney. The substitute made an immediate impact when his reverse pass put Peers through on goal. Peers finished with aplomb – only to see the linesman’s flag raised for what looked an extremely marginal decision.

Chester were not to be denied for much longer however, as Weeks won possession yet again and shot from the edge of the box. His effort sounded as though it took a slight deflection and the ball nestled in the corner of the net. Weeks celebrated in front of the end packed with City supporters. Soon Chester were three goals to the good when Peers finished off a sublime passing move which culminated in Kevin Roberts crossing from the right and Chester’s number seven crisply dispatched it past Hewelt.

As City continued to press forward Mooney saw a shot cleared off the line and Burke headed wide at a corner. With the game won, Chester eased off a little and Storer was called upon to pluck a shot from Navarro out of the air and then make a fine save from Dudley’s effort from the edge of the box.

Anthony Johnson was generous in his comments about Chester and Calum McIntyre after the game as well as saying what an asset the travelling support had been. They had sung, with new found confidence (To the tune: The Lion Sleeps tonight) “We’re the Chester, the mighty Chester – we always win away!” They will hope the winning streak continues as they visit Peterborough Sports on Saturday.

Picture © Rick Matthews

National League North
Attendance: 1,569 (189 Chester) Half Time: 1-1
Booked: Mooney, Weeks.

Scarborough Athletic: Whitley, Weledji, Thornton, Purver, Green, Colville, Wiles (Wilson 83), Tear, Brown, Waldron, Bennett (Woods 71). Subs not used: Bancroft, Glynn, Hudson.
Chester: Storer, K.Roberts, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Bainbridge, Murray (Pollock 90+1), Woods (Mooney 77), F.Roberts (Willoughby 86), Peers. Subs not used: Daly, Burgess.
Referee: Ben Tomlinson.

Chester made it five wins on the bounce and top the league as they avenge their FA Cup defeat here earlier in the season with an entertaining win at Scarborough.

The Seadogs started on the front foot forcing three corners in the opening few minutes, Will Thornton going close on two occasions. At the other end Blues were creating chances with Iwan Murray and Declan Weeks seeing efforts blocked.

Scarborough opened the scoring on 27 minutes, Luca Colville saw an effort blocked well by Nathan Woodthorpe but the rebound fell to Dom Tear who slammed the ball home.

Harry Green and Luca Colville both saw efforts saved by Jimmy Storer in the Chester goal before the Blues drew level on the stroke of half-time as Weeks fed a superb through ball for debutant Fin Roberts to run through on goal and score with a left-foot shot across Ryan Whitley in the home goal.

After the break Chester upped their tempo. Tom Peers and Fin Roberts both sent close before an own goal gave Chester the lead on 63 minutes as Thornton deflected a Fin Roberts cross into his own net, giving Whitley no chance. The lead lasted just three minutes though as Tear converted at the far post from a Green cross.

Ten minutes later Chester were awarded a penalty after a foul on Weeks. Fin Roberts stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved low down by Whitney, the ball ran loose for weeks to follow up and score from the rebound.

Chester wrapped up the points in style as the game entered added time with Dan Mooney thundering home an unstoppable 25-yarded into the top corner.

National League North
Attendance: 1,769 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Bainbridge, Weeks.

Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Rawlinson, Peers, Willoughby (Mooney 62), Woodthorpe, Woods (Mottley-Henry 75), Bainbridge, Murray, K.Roberts. Subs not used: Pollock, Daley, F.Roberts.
Spennymoor Town: James, Staunton, Beals, Taylor, Ramshaw, Mondal (Hancox 75), Dyson, Ledger, Shrimpton, McKeown (Rutledge 85), Dolan (Ross 71). Subs not used: Rowe, McGinley.
Referee: Melissa Burgin.

Spennymoor were late arrivals on Tuesday night but they proved quick out of the blocks at the beginning of this match. Chester found themselves on the back foot as the visitors surged forward with purpose and remained in their faces when City had possession.

Mondal fired a shot only to hit his own player and Ramshaw drove the rebound wide after a Moors raid down the right pinned Chester back. From a set piece on the left Woods ended up blazing a half volley well wide of goal for Chester.

While Storer received attention from the physio, Cal McIntyre spoke to the outfield players and Chester changed formation afterwards with Woods operating more on the left. As a result City came into the game more as the half wore on. Burke found Woods with a raking pass and he in turn found Willoughby – whose short on the turn was saved at full stretch by James. Then Bainbridge fired over from the edge of the area.

Bainbridge had another effort after the break but, despite a deflection, James was able to gather. At the other end Dyson’s seemingly mis-hit corner nevertheless rebounded off the near post and caused momentary panic in Chester’s penalty area. Then Glen Taylor dragged a free kick tamely wide of the post.

City, however, urged on by a vocal crowd began to build a head of steam as they controlled a bit more of possession. Dan Mooney, signed a few hours earlier from Boston was introduced into the action after the hour mark as he replaced Willoughby. Mooney started operating down the right as Peers moved into the middle. The returning wide-man quickly established a good understanding with Weeks and they began to cause the Moors problems.

Woodthorpe’s diagonal ball found the head of Burke who forced a full length save out of James. As the tension mounted, the game entered the final ten minutes. Murray found Mooney on the right and his cross was cleared by a desperate defender’s lunge. Woodthorpe latched on to the clearance and shot low across goal only to see his effort cannon back off the foot of the post. The ball landed at the feet of Mooney and he curled it back past defenders’ legs and the diving James to place it firmly in the far corner of the net.

The elation was palpable as Mooney was mobbed by his team mates and emerged tapping his Chester badge to underline his return to the Deva. Weeks and Mooney continued to combine well down the right and terrorise the Moors. From a corner Burke steadied himself and hammered a shot narrowly over as City looked for a second goal. In the end, though, one was enough to ensure victory in a very tight encounter. It felt like a significant result.

National League North
Attendance: 2,385 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Burke.

Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Rawlinson, Peers, Willoughby (Daly 65), Woodthorpe, Woods (Mottley-Henry 90), Bainbridge, Murray (Pollock 90+2), Roberts. Subs not used: Glendon, Wadsworth.
Alfreton Town: Robson, Hunt, Lund, Wiley (Solademi 89), Whitehouse (Day 67), Cantrill, Waldock, Perritt, Abbey (Clackstone 87), Newall, McDonagh (Salmon 67). Sub not used: Askew.
Referee: Mark Bell.

The momentum Chester had gained with two successive and impressive away wins continued to build as they worked hard to conquer stubborn opponents Alfreton.

Since the match at Leamington, on Tuesday, Charlie Caton had departed for EFL football with Accrington Stanley, so new signing Connor Woods started in his place. Alfreton had suffered three consecutive defeats coming into this encounter and were determined to be difficult to break down. City moved the ball around quickly and strove to get in behind them. Peers dispossessed a defender and set up Murray to shoot from distance – narrowly wide. Peers threatened again down the right and set up a chance for Weeks. Twice Hunt cleared off the line as City went close first from Weeks and then Willoughby.

Chester increased in intensity after the break and Woods, noticeably, grew into the game. He combined well with Weeks down the right as the Blues tried to work an opening against stern opposition. The breakthrough eventually came from a corner when Rawlinson’s towering header grazed the post and rebounded into the path of Burke who gleefully smashed the ball in to the roof of the net.

Drawn out of their shell, Alfreton came forward looking for parity but Weeks’ pinpoint pass picked out Peers’ forward run and the number nine finished superbly – chipping the ball over the advancing Alfreton keeper. Chester rose to third in the table as a result and will hope to take this form into the re-arranged fixture with Spennymoor on Tuesday night.

National League North
Attendance: 423 Half Time: 0-4
Booked: -.

Leamington: Hawkins, Meredith, Quaynor, Streete, Landers (Shorrock 60), Walker, Edwards (Clarke 72), Berridge (Lynn 69), Ward, Medrano (Evans 46), Williams. Sub not used: Humphries.
Chester: Storer, Burke, Weeks, Rawlinson, Peers (Daly 90+2), Willoughby, Caton (Woods 68), Woodthorpe, Bainbridge (Glendon 75), Murray, Roberts (Wadsworth 46). Sub not used: Mottley-Henry.
Referee: Harry Warner.

A superb opening half saw Chester end their New Windmill Ground hoodoo in style. The match finally got underway at the fourth attempt of trying as Chester introduced new signing Connor Woods on the bench.

Chester, fresh from their victory at Buxton on Saturday started strongly, and saw a Iwan Murray effort fly just over the bar in the very early stages. And just seven minutes in the Blues scored their first ever goal at the ground as Charlie Caton converted from a Declan Weeks cross.

Three minutes later and Chester had doubled their lead as Jack Bainbridge unleashed a powerful shot from outside the area, Callum Hawkins in the Brakes goal could only parry the ball and it looped up for Tom Peers to head home from close range.

Chester were dominating the midfield and limiting the home side to the occasional push forward. It came as no surprise when Chester added a third goal through Kurt Willoughby, it appeared the striker mish-hit his first effort but regained control to slip the ball under the advancing Hawkins.

Dan Meredith had the home sides first effort, off target, before Leamington were reduced to ten men as Meredith was shown a straight red card for something he said to referee Harry Warner.

National League North
Attendance: 1,012 Half Time: 2-3
Booked: Burke.

Buxton: Grant, Kirby, Elliott, Brennan, Sault, Trueman, Sasnauskas (De Girolamo 65), Fitzgugh (Viggars 73), Ravenhill, Popoola (Lusala 61), Burton. Subs not used: Williams, Stobbs.
Chester: Storer, Hunter, Burke, Pollock, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Bainbridge, Roberts, Daly (Mottley-Henry 57), Caton (Wadsworth 87), Peers. Subs not used: Rawlinson, Glendon, Willoughby.
Referee: Niall Smith.

Chester moved sixth after a second successive away victory. The fact that the match at Buxton, the highest pitch in the country, went ahead is testament to the huge effort by the home officials and volunteers who cleared a mountain of snow from the pitch surface to enable the referee to pass a 9am pitch inspection. Only one other National League North match survived the winter weather.

Bucks pressed from the off and saw Tommy Elliott find the net after six minutes only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. Chester also went close early on with Charlie Caton forcing Manchester City loanee True Grant into a smart save.

The home side opened the scoring on 18 minutes as a corner worked its way through to Ethan Fitzhugh who found the corner of the net through a crowded penalty area. Two minutes later Chester were level as Caton prodded the bal home from six yards.

Sis minutes later Bucks were awarded a penalty after Jimmy Storer, making his Chester debut on goal, was adjudged to have brought down Elliott, Luke Brennan stepped up to convert the spot kick.

The game flowed from end to end and six minutes before half-time Chester were themselves awarded a penalty when Liam Ravenhill handled the ball in the area. Caton stepped up to score his second of the match. And with the exciting opening half drawing to a close Chester turned the game right round and took the lead.

Declan Weeks delivered an inswinging corner that was flicked through to Harrison Burke to smartly volley home at the back post for his sixth goal of the season.

Chester added a fourth goal on 58 minutes as Jack Bainbridge scored his first goal for the club scoring from distance and giving Grant no chance. Buxton created one or two chances late on, Diego De Girolamo found the net but again the assistant referee had his flag raised for offside.

National League North
Attendance: 2,711 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Bainbridge, Glendon.

Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Weeks, Peers, Caton (Willoughby 77), Mottley-Henry, Pollock, Hancox (Glendon 66), Bainbridge, Wadsworth (Woodthorpe 46). Subs not used: Rawlinson, Roberts.
Southport: Renshaw, Williams, Knight-Percival, Lloyd, Proctor (Angus 69), Qansah, Moore, Hilton (Thomson 69), Burgess (Morgan 86), Minihan, Philliskirk. Subs not used: Keane, Stafford.
Referee: Callum Jones.

Chester and Southport largely cancelled each other out in this New Year’s Day local derby. Both sides sat in the middle of the table before and after the game although City are much more handily placed for the play-off positions than their Merseyside neighbours.

The Sandgrounders took to the field in unfamiliar sky blue whilst Chester were in their usual darker shade albeit with blue as opposed to the normal black shorts.

New loan signing Noah Wadsworth made his home bow – operating at left back – but it was an unhappy one as he was withdrawn at half-time in favour of Nathan Woodthorpe. The general play was strewn with errors and Bainbridge was an early casualty as he was booked for a professional foul having been caught in possession. The visitors could make nothing of the resultant free kick.

Peers took advantage of a defender’s misjudgement and raced in from the right towards goal but his shot went wide of the far post. Again he fired across on a separate occasion and on another almost pipped ‘keeper Renshaw to an under-hit back pass.

City showed more intensity after the break and began to threaten. Caton had a shot blocked at the near post and then Bainbridge’s effort, direct from a corner, looked to be heading in until deflected wide of the post by Hinton. Glendon replaced Hancox and looked lively. From his raking pass over the top of the defence Peers hit a spectacular effort well wide.

Southport’s most dangerous attempts were from set pieces. Knight-Percival headed Danny Lloyd’s kick narrowly wide of the upright and then a corner caused consternation in the box when Harrison could not hold on to a header at the far post. In the resulting scramble Morgan’s shot was deflected over the bar.

Glendon replied with a good effort from distance but also off target and the final chance fell to Willoughby in the dying moments. His first time effort from a defender’s clearance did not have the legs to trouble Renshaw too much.

Another frustrating home draw for Chester followed their handy win at Marine on Boxing Day. Southport were solid and defended well from the front and City were not able to sustain the pressure to make the breakthrough they desired. They will have ten days to work on things as their scheduled opponents for Saturday, Spennymoor, are still involved in the FA Trophy.