Chances
were few and far between as for the second time this season
leaders Chorley and Chester fought out a goalless draw.
It was a fairly even opening that saw both defences working
hard to keep out their opponents with strikers Anthony
Dudley and Akwasi Asante both finding it hard to break
through a stubborn Chorley rearguard.
The first save of the game came from Grant Shenton who
comfortably kept out Elliot Newby’s effort. Chester’s
first effort on goal came following a quick free-kick
that saw Asante’s shot partially saved with Craig
Mahon’s follow-up effort blocked.
Chester sparked into life, Gary Roberts saw a 25-yarder
go over wide and Mahon sent a long range effort just wide
following a good run minutes before half-time.
Chorley came closest to breaking the deadlock early in
the second period, Marcus Carver broke free of the Blues
defence, beat the oncoming Shenton and prodded the ball
past the ‘keeper but just wide of the post.
The Blues created a couple of efforts themselves with
Dudley forcing a save from Matt Unwin and Simon Grand
seeing a header from a Roberts free-kick just clear the
bar.
The game petered out to a stalemate, under most circumstanced
the Blues would have been happy holding the leaders but
the Blues need as many points as possible if they're to
make the play-off’s and may feel this was two dropped.
Chester
kept their play-off hopes alive with a 1-0 victory at
Darlington to complete the double over the Quakers.
The Blues started brightly with Akwasi Asante, Ben McKenna
and Bradley Jackson all having efforts on target. It wasn't
all Chester though as Grant Shenton produced a fine save
to deny Simon Ainge at the other end, tipping his goalbound
header over the bar.
Matty Waters tested Jake Turner
in the home goal with a fine strike from 25 yards before
Asante’s poor touch denied him a goalscoring chance
after good build-up work from Sean McAllister.
The only goal of the game came on 40 minutes from a
free-kick. Gary Roberts passed the ball to Anthony Dudley,
he set-up Akwasi Asanti whose mis-hit shot found Simon
Grand at the far post who headed home from close-range.
Darlington started the second period strongly and Chester
hade Shenton to thank for pulling off a series of fine
saves to deny the hosts. The Blues brought on George
Waring for the tiring Asanti as Darlo continued to press.
Ten minutes from time Shenton pulled off another great
save to deny Harvey Saunders and preserve the clean
sheet and take away three precious away points.
It’s
two points dropped as Chester squandered the lead against
ten man Leamington.
The Blues made three changes from the side well beaten
at Altrincham last week, in came Sean McAllister, Akwasi
Asante and Ben McKenna for the suspended captain Scott
Burton, Dan Mooney and George Waring.
In a game Chester had to win it was the Brakes who started
better with Colby Bishop shooting just over the bar in
the opening five minutes.
The match was short on quality, Steve Howson saw two headers
miss the target and Asanta saw another header loop wide
in a rare chance on goal. Grant Shenton produced the save
of the half to deny Jordan Murphy whose effort from ten
yards looked certain to find the net.
Two minutes after the restart Chester opened the scoring.
Matty Waters broke down the left and crossed into the
box, it was dummied by Anthony Dudley for McKenna to steer
the ball into the bottom of the net.
The game began to open up and Bishop saw a header flash
just over the bar as Brakes looked to get back on level
terms.
Craig Mahon forced a double
save from Tony Breeden and Gary Roberts saw a long range
effort curl just wide of Breeden’s post.
Eleven minutes from time Leamington
were reduced to ten men when Murphy was sent-off after
receiving a second yellow card for a foul on Waters.
Despite their man advantage Chester were unable to hold
on to their lead and seven minutes from time conceded
an equaliser as the Blues defence failed to clear and
Ahmed Obeng found space to beat Shenton from the edge
of the box.
Despite
an encouraging first half, Chester see captain Scott Burton
sent-off after the break and go on to concede four goals
to play-off rivals Altrincham.
Chester started well and
had the first real effort on goal after ten minutes as
Dan Mooney's long range effort was parried away by Tony
Thompson in the Alty goal. Both Mooney and Craig Mahon
were enjoying plenty of possession but despite this the
Blues were finding it difficult to create any clear cut
chances.
The Blues defence were quick to close down any threat
from the home side in the opening period as the sides
left the field at half-time.
Five minutes after the restart Burton was shown a second
yellow card and given his marching orders following a
heavy tackle on Sean Williams.
Just 60 seconds later Chester conceded the opening goal
as Josh Hancock probed down the left before crossing for
Joe Piggott to slide the ball past Grant Shenton and over
the line.
Chester were reeling and conceded again 12 minutes later
as John Johnston crossed from the byeline for Hancock
to score from 15 yards out.
The game was well and truly over on 70 minutes as Altrincham
grabbed a third goal when Jake Moult’s header was
dropped by Shenton, the ball falling to Hancock who notched
his second of the game from close range.
The rout was completed in the final minute as Johnston
powered a shot past Shenton from the edge of the box.
Chances
were few and far between as for the second time this season
leaders Chorley and Chester fought out a goalless draw.
Chester
kept their play-off hopes alive with a 1-0 victory at
Darlington to complete the double over the Quakers.
It’s
two points dropped as Chester squandered the lead against
ten man Leamington. 
Despite
an encouraging first half, Chester see captain Scott Burton
sent-off after the break and go on to concede four goals
to play-off rivals Altrincham.
PROMISING DEBUT CUT SHORT
DEFEAT AT BRACKLEY
DARLINGTON
Everything you need to know about the club’s history, honours, records and kits. Complete list of fixtures from 1885 and much more.
EXILES BLOG