Blues Match Report: Chester FC 2 - 1 Buxton

Chester FC advanced into the National League North Play-Off Semi Finals, with a dramatic Extra Time victory over Buxton at the Deva Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Calum McIntyre’s side made the perfect start at the Deva Stadium, as they took the lead with just three minutes on the clock.

Declan Weeks’ corner found its way out to the edge of the box where the superb Iwan Murray controlled and finished left footed beyond True Grant in the Buxton net.

The Bucks fired a warning shot back moments later as Luke Brennan curled a free kick just over,, before they equalised on 18 minutes as a cross from the left was headed back across goal and into the path of Tommy Elliott, who made no mistake from close range.

Both teams went close towards the end of the half, as Kurt Willoughby’s cutback was turned over the bar by Tom Peers, before Johnny Johnston raced into the Chester area and saw his shot brilliantly tipped onto the post by Jimmy Storer.

The second half was a cagey affair, with Weeks seeing an effort from the edge go wide before Connor Woods drove into the box and saw his attempt deflected behind for a corner.

Into Extra Time and sub Dylan Mottley-Henry almost restored the Seals’ advantage with a superb curling effort which was well stopped by Grant.

But the Blues then got back ahead on 108 minutes. Weeks’ free kick into the box causes problems, which ended with Jack Bainbridge hooking the ball back into the path of Harrison Burke who sent the Deva into a frenzy.

Buxton sub Diego De Girolamo had a chance in stoppage time at the very end of the game to equalise but blazed over as the Seals move on to face Kidderminster at Aggborough on Sunday.

CHESTER FC: Storer, Roberts, Burke, Leak, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Murray (Rawlinson 116), Weeks, Woods (Mooney 76), Willoughby (O’Kane 57), Peers (Mottley-Henry 62).

SUBS NOT USED: Brown, Lambert, Burgess.

SCORERS: Murray 3, Burke 108; Elliott 18.

ATTENDANCE: 4,066.

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