Blues Match Report: Chester 1 - 0 Buxton

A late header from Dylan Mottley-Henry earned all three points for Chester FC at the Deva Stadium, over Buxton, this afternoon.

Ex-Chester striker Kurt Willoughby was dismissed by referee Jake Allsopp inside the opening two minutes, after he kicked out at debutant Tom Davies near the half-way line.

Mottley-Henry had the first opportunity for the Blues as he found himself with an opening inside the box after a clever pass from Tom Peers, but the former poked just past the post and the scoreline remained level.

A major chance arrived for the Bucks mid-way through the half, but Luke Brennan’s strike slid wide after Johnny Johnston had reached the byline impressively and drilled a low cross into the 18-yard box.

The remainder of the opening period saw a lack of goalmouth action at either end, with numerous bookings rounding off the half.

Iwan Murray sent an effort goalwards shortly after the break, but his strike fell just wide of the post after he cut inside on the edge of the 18-yard box.

The Blues’ next major opportunity came through Declan Weeks, when the skipper also found space on the edge of the area but sent his shot just over the crossbar and out for a goal-kick

Lewis Leigh had a similar effort as Calum McIntyre’s men worked the ball consistently around the Bucks’ box, but his effort also rose just too high and to safety for the visitors.

The defining moment of the afternoon came with four minutes of normal time remaining, as a deserved lead was earned for the Blues through Mottley-Henry.

Michael Kelly delivered an inviting corner onto the head of our number 11, who powered his effort past Joe Young and into the back of the net, a header that secured all three points for Chester.

Two further chances arrived for the Blues late on, firstly through Weeks whose effort flew over the top, before Pat Jones drilled a powerful effort towards goal that forced Young into an impressive low stop to preserve Buxton’s one-goal deficit.

Back-to-back away games are up next for the Seals, who head to Leamington next Saturday followed by a trip to Hereford on Tuesday 24th February.

Chester FC: B. Jones, Kelly, Leak, Croker, Woodthorpe, Shrimpton (Shrimpton 75′), Murray (Woods 64′), Bainbridge (Leigh 46′), Weeks, P. Jones, Peers (P. Jones 19′)

Sub not used: Davies, Leak, I. Burgess

Scorers: Mottley-Henry 86′

Attendance: 1,874

You can watch the post-match interview with Blues Boss Calum McIntyre here...