Blues Match Report: Chester FC 2 - 1 AFC Telford United

Goals from Dylan Mottley-Henry and Phil Croker earned a crucial victory for Chester FC at the Deva Stadium this afternoon.

The first-half was one of few chances down CH1 as both looked to get a grip of the windy conditions.

Scott Burgess had the first chance of note as he fired narrowly over following positive work from Fin Shrimpton, who operated in an attacking role during the contest.

Lewis Leigh showed his quality throughout the afternoon, and he took aim around the mid-way point of the half but it deflected behind of an away defender.

Mottley-Henry had a pair of chances before the break but both were dealt with comfortably by Josh Gracey.

Ammar Dyer went closest for the Bucks during the opening period but his close-range strike was blocked by Declan Weeks, before Michael Kelly put the ball in the back of the net from inside the area only for it to be ruled out for an offside earlier in the move.

Despite the wind being in the visitors favour after the interval it was the Blues who found the first goal courtesy of our number 11.

Mottley-Henry latched onto a clever knockdown from Croker before poking the ball past Gracey in the away goal.

The lead would last just three minutes though as Weeks turned into his own net from a wicked corner that swung dangerously into the six-yard box.

The winning moment arrived with nine minutes left on the clock courtesy of Croker, as a third goal in the contest was netted from a set piece.

Connor Woods’ well-delivered corner found the head of the centre-back who managed to glance a fantastic header past the outstretched arms of Gracey to reinstate the hosts’ one-goal advantage.

Substitute Fin Roberts could’ve made it three shortly after when he found space in behind the Bucks’ back line, but his effort slid narrowly wide of the foot of the post.

Dyer saw red for Kevin Wilkin’s side late on after an altercation with Nathan Woodthorpe, as the Seals held on to claim three crucial points.

A quick turnaround beckons for Connell Rawlinson’s men who travel to Macclesfield on Monday afternoon.

Chester FC: Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, T. Davies, Mottley-Henry, Kelly, Shrimpton, Leigh, Carson (Woods 60′), S. Burgess (Roberts 77′), Croker.

Subs not used: B. Davies, Leak, Peers, Bainbridge, Woods, Rosenblatt, Roberts

Scorers: Mottley-Henry 66′, Weeks OG 69′, Croker 81′

Attendance: 2,935

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