The Blues were beaten 4-0 by Brighton on Saturday, a scoreline that flattered the League One side. Defensive lapses were to blame for at lest two of the goals which is something manager Bobby Williamson hopes to put right for Monday’s match at Northwich.

City had the better of the opening period with John Murphy and Jamie Hand both going close but it was the visitors who opening the scoring on 37 minutes. Nicky Foster easily beat Laurence Wilson down the right, he crossed to Alex Revell who scored past Gavin Ward from close range.

Kevin Ellison went close for City after the break and Murphy headed over before the Seagulls added to their scoreline. With 15 minutes remaining Revell scored with ease after a mix-up between Ward and Kevin Sandwith. Foster soon added a third after poor marking in the City defence and the match was wrapped up with a late penalty after Phil Bolland had brought down Dean Hammond.

Manager Bobby Williamson said after the defeat: “In a way I am glad the game came now, because it answers a few questions about certain players for me. We weren’t four goals inferior to them, but there are a number of things to work on.”

City’s unbeaten start to the pre-season continued with this 5-2 win at neighbours Vauxhall Motors. The Blues got off to an ideal start when Chris Holroyd took advantage of some slack defending in the opening minute to open the scoring which was doubled ten minutes later by Kevin Ellison.

Ellison sent Holroyd through for his second of the game on the half hour mark after Jamie hand had picked up a loose ball. Hand himself added City’s fourth from close range nine minutes before the break.

Manager Bobby Williamson made four changes at half-time introducing Laurence Wilson, Ashley Westwood, Nathan Lowndes and Simon Yeo.

Simon Lake in the home goal produced a fine save to deny Yeo adding the fifth. Vauxhall scored a consolation goal five minutes from time through Paul Taylor but it was Chester who had the last word as trialist Mark Hughes received a Yeo through ball to curl a fine shot past Taylor with seconds remaining.

Friendly
Attendance: 1,130 Half Time 1-3
Booked: -.

AFC Telford United: Young, Vaughan, Craven, Turner, Teesdale, Charlton, Jagielka, Vermiglio, Reynolds, Marsden, Fitzpatrick. Subs: Cornes, Moore, Palmer, Lewis, Tretton, Jones
Chester City: Ward, Vaughan (Marples 45), Sandwith, Linwood (Westwood 45), Bolland (Marsh-Evans 45), Bennett (Grant 45), Partridge (Holroyd 45), Hand (Cronin 45), Murphy, Yeo, Wilson (Rutherford 40).
Referee: A.Mariner.

A hat-trick from Simon Yeo eased City to victory in this entertaining opening pre-season friendly of the new campaign. The Blues (playing in their new away strip) were off to a flier and had Gary Fitzpatrick for handing them the opening goal in the first minute as he settled the ball past home ‘keeper Young as he challenged John Murphy.

City doubled their lead after a quarter of an hour with Yeo heading home a pinpoint cross from Laurence Wilson. Yeo added his second on 26 minutes as he converted a cross from new boy Richie Partridge.

An overhead kick from Luke Reynolds reduces the arrears seven minutes before the break.

City manager Bobby Williamson made six changes to personnel at the break and not long later Marsden had brought United back into the game with a second goal.

The Blues settled down however and Yeo completed his hat-trick on 56 minutes scoring from close range after Young had failed to clear a cross from Simon Marples. Murphy, who forged a good partnership up front with Yeo made it 5-2 from close range with 20 minutes remaining.

With the game petering out there was just time for Telford to add a third through Matt Lewis after a mistake from Kevin Sandwith.