Blues Match Report: Chester 2 - 1 Darlington

Goals from Dylan Mottley-Henry and Fin Shrimpton earned all three points for Chester FC at the Deva Stadium, in Connell Rawlinson’s first game as Interim Manager.

Kevin Roberts almost got off to the dream start on the day of his final match as a Chester FC player, but his flicked header dropped just wide off Michael Kelly’s corner.

The lead did come for the Seals in the 10th minute, as Mottley-Henry had the ball on the right-hand flank and played a delightful ball to Connor Woods who saw his low strike palmed out by Watson, but our number 11 reacted first to the rebound and fired the ball into the back of the net to break the deadlock.

Just a few minutes later, Woodthorpe had the ball on the edge of the box, but his curled effort sailed just wide the post.

After good work to defend a Darlington corner, a counter-attack started from Bobby Jones before the ball landed to the feet of Shrimpton on the right-hand side, but his shot also flew narrowly wide.

A well-delivered corner was swung in by Michael Kelly shortly after, before the ball was bundled to K. Roberts again, but his shot was cleared off the line. The next corner saw Kelly pick up the ball just outside the box and produce a powerful strike that forced Rory Watson into a smart save.

Carrying on the momentum from the first half after the break, Tom Davies picked up the ball just inside the box from another set-piece, but his strike was deflected behind.

The Quakers began to impose themselves in the second period and levelled In the 64th minute, as a looping corner found Toby Lees who headed the ball into the empty net at the back post.

Jack Maskell was denied by Bobby Jones in the final 10 minutes as the ‘keeper pulled off a fine stop to deny a powerful effort

The next opportunity landed to the Seals as an inch-perfect pass from Fin Shrimpton sent Mottley-Henry through on goal, however Watson outstretched himself and pushed away.

Shrimpton was there to net the winner himself in the 98th minute, as he hammered home from close-range after fantastic build-up play from Scott Burgess.

A fitting ending to the fantastic career of Kevin Roberts, who retires at the age of 36 to take up a full-time physiotherapy role at an EFL club.

Match Report by Ashley Potter.

Chester FC: B. Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, T. Davies, Mottley-Henry, Kelly (Carson 62′), Shrimpton, Leigh (S. Burgess 86′), Woods (Corbett 90+5′), K. Roberts, F. Roberts (Murray 68′)

Subs not used: Davies, Leak, Croker

Scorers: Mottley-Henry 10′, Lees 64′, Shrimpton 90+8′

You can watch the post-match interview with Interim Manager Connell Rawlinson here...