Blues Match Report: Chester 2 - 0 Hyde United

Goals from Connor Murphy and Ruben Butt ensured victory over Hyde United and progression to the Second Round of the Cheshire Senior Cup, last night at the Deva Community Stadium.

Phil Parkinson’s side controlled the opening period at the Deva Community Stadium, watched on by a crowd of 327 in rainy conditions.

Joe Boggan, who looked lively during a first Chester FC start, saw the opening effort of the encounter slide narrowly wide after positive work from Wesley Frimpong, who also impressed from full-back.

Connor Murphy grabbed his first senior goal in the 20th minute to break the deadlock after some lovely interplay was followed by a clinical low finish that nestled in the bottom corner of the away goal.

The Tigers’ shot-stopper Jordan Eastham was forced into action later in the opening period as he kept out Connor Woods’ curled effort, before Taylor McMahon sent the visitors’ first chance of the contest into the palms of Luke Hewitson from long-range.

Boggan tried his luck for a second time of the evening shortly after the interval but his well-struck effort was held by Eastham.

Alfie Jones-Mellor, making his first senior competitive appearance in Blue, impressed throughout in midfield alongside fellow youngster Murphy.

Frimpong and Kofi Moore combined just after the mid-way point of the second-half to create an opportunity for Butt whose effort was blocked on the edge of the area.

Hyde’s best chance of the evening came with three minutes remaining via captain Brad Roscoe, but his header dropped on to the roof of the net, just minutes before the experienced defender was shown a red card due to dissent.

Butt made the result safe in the 90th minute after a well-worked move culminated in a fantastic, low finish from the Salford City loanee to double the Seals’ lead.

Starting XI: Hewitson, Woodthorpe, Griffin, McHale, Waters, Murphy, Burgess, Woods, Boggan, Jones-Mellor, Frimpong.

Substitutes: Burroughs, Foley, Moore, Reed, Butt

Scorers: Murphy 20′, Butt 90′.