National League North
Attendance: 0 Half Time: 0-1
Booked: K.Roberts.

Chester: Gray, K.Roberts, Morgan, Weeks, Livesey, Grand, Lacey (Hughes 87), Glendon, Elliott, Johnston (Goodwin 77), Dudley (Waring 77). Subs not used: G.Roberts, Bauress.
Gateshead: Male, Nicholson, Smith (Dale 83), Hunter, Cook (Langstaff 77), Olley, Garner, Griffiths, Cooper, Greenfield (Deverdics 88), Preston. Subs not used: Cameron, Ward.
Referee: D.Watson.

This proved to be a disappointing game of two haves for Chester who were second best for the first 45 minutes but improved somewhat after the break.

Danny Elliott provided the games first effort on goal after just five minutes with Heed ‘keeper Harrison Male saving the Blues striker’s effort at the near post.

It took just 12 minutes for Gateshead to open the scoring as the Blues were caught napping when a throw-in found Jordan Preston, unmarked, he turned to fire a shot past Louis Gray.

Minutes later Ged Garner slipped a pass to George Smith who forced Gray into a smart save at his near post as the visitor’s looked to double their advantage.

Under the cosh for long periods, Chester finally responded as Male made a good save to deny George Glendon from 20 yards as the Chester skipper’s effort looked to be looping just under the crossbar. From the resulting corner Paddy Lacey saw an effort blocked on the line.

Both Jordan Cook and Danny Greenfield sent efforts in that tested Gray in the Blues goal, and Greenfield almost added a second goal on the strike of half-time as he volleyed just wide.

Chester began the second period much brighter and after seven minutes found an equaliser as Simon Grand headed home from Glendon’s cross.

Male was forced into action to deny Elliott’s drive at the near post following Anthony Dudley’s through ball.

Both sides were going for it and made attacking substitutions with Chester bringing on youngster Will Goodwin and George Waring, for John Johnston and Dudley. Gray had to make an acrobatic save to deny Preston a second goal, somehow tipping over his header.

With the game heading for a draw, Grand’s misplaced back pass was intercepted by substitute Macaulay Langstaff who shot first time past Gray to grab all three points with just four minutes to go.

Chester: Gray, K.Roberts, Taylor, Weeks, Livesey, Grand, Lacey, Glendon, Elliott (Waring 87), Dudley (Jackson 67), Bauress (Johnston 67). Subs not used: Hughes, Morgan.
Referee: Aaron Bannister.

Chester and Farsley Celtic fought out an entertaining 2-2 draw at The Citadel

Elliott and Weeks both saw efforts saved by Drench before Chester struck back to level the game on 38 minutes. A corner routine saw the ball lofted to the back post where Paddy Lacey was on hand to head home his first goal for the club.

Picture © Rick Matthews

This was a deserved point for Chester who returned to action after their enforced two week lay-off and with just one training session under their belt.

It was a scrappy opening which saw Simon Grand have the first real effort blocked following a Bradley Bauress corner, while at the other end Louis Gray was called into action to block Tre Mitford’s first time effort. Chester’s main threat was coming from corners though Danny Elliott managed to shoot over the bar having been set-up by Declan Weeks.

Chester broke the deadlock six minutes after the break as Bauress swung in a corner and Jordan Cullinane-Liburd, under pressure from Grand, headed into his own net.

The Blues almost doubled their lead moments later as Alistair Worby made a fine save to deny Elliott’s smart header.

Brackley equalised ten minutes after Chester’s opener as Lee Ndlovu found Matt Lowe who cut inside and shot low and hard past Gray to find the net.

Chester looked for a winner and went close through Weeks who flashed an effort just over following fin play from Anthony Dudley, and substitute George Waring missed a great chance five minutes from time skying a shot over when well placed.

With time running out, defender Joel Taylor picked up two yellow cards in three minutes to receive his marching orders from referee Ben Wyatt. The defender will now miss the home game with Gateshead.

Picture © Rick Matthews