BLUES MATCH REPORT - CHESTER FC 0 - 1 RUSHALL OLYMPIC

Chester FC couldn’t break down Rushall Olympic, at the Leap76 Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as Calum McIntyre’s men suffered a second defeat on the bounce.

The first two major chances came for both sides after 15 minutes, with the first coming for the Seals as Owen Windsor crossed for Elliott Whitehouse who’s header was comfortably saved by Jake Weaver.

Rushall had their first just moments later, as Danny Waldron curled an effort which was palmed into the path of Sam McLintock but his rebound effort was brilliantly saved by Wyll Stanway.

The visitors’ were certainly growing in confidence, and Waldron almost had a golden chance to grab his 15th goal of the season but Alex Fletcher’s cross was just out of the striker’s reach.

Olympic had threatened in the opening half an hour and they took the lead after 33 minutes, as Rico Browne powerfully headed home from a well delivered Alex Moore corner, work to do for Calum McIntyre’s men.

The away side were comfortable through to the break, with Chester needing a fightback to avoid a second defeat on the spin.

In the early stages after the interval it was largely more of the same for the seals, lots of endeavour but few clear cut chances for Weaver to deal with in the Rushall goal.

Calum McIntyre made changes to try and get through the stubborn away defence, with Joel Taylor and Iwan Murray being brought on for Owen Windsor and Elliott Whitehouse who went off with a knock.

Tom Edge almost doubled the visitors’ lead with just ten minutes remaining as he fired a dangerous strike towards goal which Stanway acrobatically denied.

With just minutes left on the clock the chance that Kole Hall had been waiting for all afternoon presented itself, but after latching onto Harrison Burke’s flick on header Hall’s volley was well blocked.

The Seals seemed inspired after the six minutes of additional time was announced, with waves of blue firing towards the Rushall goal.

Kieron Coates and Murray both had efforts before Kev Roberts had the chance of the match after Weaver pushed Taylor’s strike straight to the midfielder.

Unfortunately, Roberts smashed his effort over the bar and Rushall held firm to claim all three points.

Match Report by Tom Bird.