Blues Match Report: Chester FC 2 - 1 Oxford City

Chester FC made a crucial return to winning ways at home to Oxford City on Bank Holiday Monday.

It was two goals for unlikely scorers that earned all three points as Scott Burgess and Nathan Woodthorpe both netted for the first time in a Chester FC shirt.

Isaac Westendorf had levelled the score line just before the break for the visitors with a low finish.

Connor Woods almost grabbed the opener after a slow start to the contest when he cut inside and drilled a low effort towards goal only for Sam Lewis to push away from goal.

It was Scott Burgess who broke the deadlock just after the half-hour mark, with a close-range finish after the ball dropped in the box and gave him a simple finish.

Problems mounted for the Hoops just a minute later when veteran midfielder Alfie Potter was dismissed by referee Kavan Hurn for a late, sliding challenge on Declan Weeks in midfield.

Hurn had no hesitation and handed the 36-year-old a straight red card.

Ross Jenkins’ side reacted well after the blow, and equalised during first-half stoppage time through Isaac Westendorf.

The strike forced an opening behind the Blues’ back line before his low shot squeezed underneath Andrew Wogan and levelled the scoreline.

Westendorf almost doubled his tally early in the second period as he tested the ‘keeper but he palmed wide.

The Seals remained patient until just after the hour mark when Nathan Woodthorpe netted his first competitive goal for the club. 

The left-back pounced on a loose ball inside the box and finished into the bottom corner.

Kev Roberts almost made the points safe four minutes later when he was found in the box by a floated corner from Weeks before the veteran’s header collided with the post before the ball bounced away to safety.

The final period of the contest saw a lack of goal-mouth action as the Blues restricted the Hoops with relative ease.

A positive return to the Deva Stadium for the Blues who are back in action in five days with a trip to Worksop Town.

CHESTER FC: Wogan, Kelly-Evans, K. Roberts, Leak, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, S. Burgess, Weeks, Murray (Shrimpton 75′), Woods (P. Jones 58′), Mottley-Henry (Zanzala 89′).

Subs not used: Barlow, J. Jones, Rosenblatt, F. Roberts.

Scorers: S. Burgess 31′, Woodthorpe 62. Westendorf 45+1′

Attendance: 2,137 (27 away)

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