Kurt Willoughby scored a dramatic stoppage time winner as Chester beat Scarborough Athletic 3-2 at the Deva on the Bank Holiday Monday. It was The Seadogs, who started the game in second place in the table, who took an early fifth minute lead Jordan Hunter misjudged and incoming long-ball that allowed Dom Tear in who lobbed Cameron Mason from distance.

Chester responded instantly to the early setback as Charlie Caton scored twice in ten minutes to turn the score round and give the Blues a half-time lead. More chances were created after the break, with Tom Peers going close to extending the lead. The visitors drew level as substitute Mulhern bundled in an equaliser following a free-kick from former Blue Alex Brown.

There were concerns for goalkeeper Mason who was injured in a clash with Harry Green, after treatment he was able to struggle on. With the game entering four minutes stoppage time Chester snatched the winner, as Willoughby hit George Glendon’s pass first time past Ryan Whitley in the Seadogs goal.

The victory lifts Chester to 15th in the table, next up is a home game against Peterborough Sports on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.

The return of Declan Weeks to the Chester line-up was just the tonic at the Blues recorded their first win of the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Radcliffe last night. Weeks marked a dramatic return from suspension with the opening goal after just two minutes, smashing Nathan Woodthorpe’s cross from the left into the roof of the net in front of the Harry Mac terrace.

Chester moved the ball around crisply and looked lively going forward with Dan Turner starting on the left and Charlie Caton back to his best in the middle.

Caton doubled the lead on the half hour rising to head home a superb right wing cross from Jordan Hunter, giving Mateusz Hewelt no chance in the Boro goal. The nearest the opposition came to a goal was a Jordan Hulme effort that fizzed across goal midway through the second period.

This was a much improved performance by the Blues than Saturday and they will be hoping to build on it when they travel to Alfreton Town at the weekend.

The home campaign started with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Brackley Town on Saturday. The only goal of the game came 18 minutes from time through Connor Hall after the Blues defence failed to deal with a long throw into the box. Chester had earlier seen a couple of chances from Kurt Willoughby just miss the target and the Blues were left to rue those missed opportunities.

Chester had chances to reduce the deficit but a goalmouth scramble and the woodwork was to deny them on a couple of occasions. The home side wrapped up the three points 15 minutes from time with Matty Dolan scoring from a free-kick.

The Blues will be looking to kick-start their campaign when they have back-to-back home games starting with Brackley Town on Saturday followed by Radcliffe the following Tuesday night that sees former manager’s Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley return.

Picture © Rick Matthews