Blues Match Report: Chester FC 1 - 0 Leamington

Chester FC claimed an important victory at home to move back up to second in the National League North.

Connell Rawlinson got the all-important goal with a downward header inside the opening 10 minutes that beat Callum Hawkins in the away goal.

The Blues flew out of the traps at the Deva Stadium and Jack Lambert almost opened the scoring with a speculative effort on the half-volley but it flew narrowly over the bar and into the Hipkiss Stand.

Parity didn’t last long though, as the Seals’ skipper Rawlinson got his first league goal of the campaign.

Declan Weeks floated a corner that invited Rawlinson to head the ball into the ground before it bounced past Hawkins.

Paul Holleran’s side struggled to cope with the Blues in the early stages and the lead was almost doubled as Connor Woods sent a low shot towards goal but it slid just wide.

The Brakes’ first opportunity came through captain Adam Walker but his drilled strike was comfortable for Jimmy Storer.

The latter stages of the first period saw a very limited amount of goalmouth action, as the Blues went in to the interval with a one goal advantage.

This slow style of play continued in the second period, as both teams cancelled each other out for the most part.

Rawlinson and Jack Edwards were both handed a yellow card for a bizarre tussle on the edge of the away box after Edwards’ shirt was almost tugged over his head.

Connor Woods failed to test Hawkins with a free-kick which crashed into the wall before Weeks sent a dangerous effort from distance that appeared dangerous but ended up clipping the top of the Brakes’ net.

The visitors’ resistance was almost breached with 15 minutes left to play, as Woods fired a drilled ball across the six-yard box, only for Ward to safely chi[ the ball into Hawkins’ hands 

A flurry of changes followed from Holleran, who looked to add firepower to a forward line that struggled to test Storer all afternoon.

The contest lacked intensity at times but the Blues held on for a crucial victory, as Calum McIntyre’s side moved up to second ahead of next weekend’s huge test on the road at Scunthorpe United.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

CHESTER FC: Storer, Roberts, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, O’Kane, Weeks, Lambert (Leak 63′), Mooney (Turner 74′), Woods, Peers.

Subs not used: Willoughby, Turner, Leak, Daly, Rosenblatt.

Scorers: Rawlinson 9′

Attendance: 2,251

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