This
was a dreadful result for Chester who were beaten 2-1
at bottom of the table Bradford (Park Avenue) and drop
to sixth place.
Chester made five changes from the side that were beaten
at home by Brackley Town last week. Louis Gray started
in goal and Gary Stopforth, Matty Waters, Gary Roberts
and Danny Elliott returned to the starting X1.
Bradford, with a strong wind behind them, put Chester
under pressure from the start forcing a succession of
corners. The Blues were dealt a blow on 15 minutes when
Stopforth had to be carried off following a collision,
Scott Burton coming on to replace him.
Despite the home side’s dominance it was Chester
who had the best chance to open the scoring when Anthony
Dudley’s through ball found John Johnson one-on-one
with goalkeeper Tom Nicholson, but instead of shooting
he passed to Elliott and as the bull held up on the glue-pot
of a pitch the opportunity was wasted
Billy Priestley twice saw headers saved by Gray in the
Chester goal though four minutes before the break Gray
was beaten as Tom Clare forced a Ryan Toulson cross over
the line from close range despite protests from the Blues
for a foul.
Chester drew level six minutes in to the second half as
Waters scored directly from a corner. But instead of sparking
the Blues on, it was the home side who were stirred into
action and they restored their lead on 67 minutes.
A long throw was headed home past Gray by Oli Johnson.
Chester showed no creativity and struggled to test the
home side.
They did have two more chances of note though as 12 minutes
from time Bradley Jackson set-up substitute Akwasi Asante
but he shot over the bar when well placed, and George
Waring headed a Jackson cross wide as time ran out on
a disappointing display.
Danny
Elliott scored the only goal of the game from the penalty
spot after 20 minutes as Chester booked a place in the
Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final and a home match against
Hyde United.
Elliott recently returned fro a loan spell at Alfreton
Town and coolly converted the spot-kick awarded after
Stuart Crilly had been fouled in the box by Jake Caprice.
Chester handed a debut to Louis Gray in goal and there
was a spot in the middle of the defence for 17-year-old
scholar Harrison Burke. George Waring went close early
on for Chester who also saw Luke Pilling in the Rovers
goal save well to deny Elliott a second goal.
Gray was called into action after the break saving well
to deny Stefan Payne and gary Roberts was on hand to block
an Ollie Banks effort soon after.
Will Goodwin went close to doubling the lead, forcing
another smart save from Pilling before ex-Serie A referee
Claudio Gavillucci blew for full time as Chester booked
their semi-final date with Hyde United.
This
was a dreadful result for Chester who were beaten 2-1
at bottom of the table Bradford (Park Avenue) and drop
to sixth place._500px.jpg)
Danny
Elliott scored the only goal of the game from the penalty
spot after 20 minutes as Chester booked a place in the
Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final and a home match against
Hyde United.
PROMISING DEBUT CUT SHORT
BLUES HELD AT HOME
PRE-SEASON
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