BLUES MATCH REPORT: Chester FC 1 - 1 Bolton Wanderers

Chester FC’s return to the Deva Stadium saw the Blues put in a positive pre-season performance to draw with League One side Bolton Wanderers.

The visitors had the first half chance after patient build up play, which ended with a cross from the left being glanced just wide by Kyle Dempsey.

Moments later saw Kieran Coates put the Bolton defence to the test with a quick run down the right – his cross was a good pace but ‘keeper Joel Coleman did well to gather.

On the quarter of an hour mark Bolton again went close, Josh Dacres-Cogley cutting inside and curling one just over the bar.

The Trotters went even closer just minutes after. Dacres-Cogley was the provider this time, cutting back for Aaron Morley who saw his effort crash against the woodwork.

The visitors got the opener on 35 minutes though, as a cutback from the right found George Thomason, and his deflected effort flew beyond Wyll Stanway to give Ian Evatt’s side the lead.

One quickly was almost two as Dacres-Cogley was one-on-one with Stanway – but the Blues stopper did brilliantly to make himself big and turn the shot behind.

Chester equalised just before the interval in stunning fashion. Declan Weeks’ quick free kick found Joel Taylor on the edge of the box, and the full-back superbly curled into the top corner from distance.

The Blues made five changes at the break, one less than Bolton’s six, and one of the visitors subs nearly struck just after the break – but Kieran Sadlier saw his strike fly over the bar.

Another sub in Victor Adeboyejo should have restored Bolton’s lead as he was played through however his shot completely missed the target.

Sadlier then played a neat one-two with Cameron Jerome on 66 minutes before sidefooting just beyond the far post.

Chester nearly took the lead with less than 20 minutes to play as Coates found half time sub Charlie Caton – who saw his powerful effort crash against the underside of the crossbar and bounce clear.

The game ended all square in what was a positive workout down CH1.

Chester: Stanway, Coates (Forde 85), Williams, Edwards (Burke 46), Taylor (Heywood 46), Whitehouse, Weeks (Trialist B 62), Daly (Bott 75), Goodson (Murray 46), Hall (Thomas 46), Trialist A (Caton 46).

Scorers: Taylor 45; Thomson 35

Attendance: 1,419.