Blues Match Report: Chester FC 3 - 3 Chorley

An end-to-end clash at the Deva Stadium ended level between the Blues and the Magpies this afternoon.

Chorley’s Tom Walker failed to keep his powerful strike on target early on, before Matt Urwin was forced to the floor to gather Connor Woods’ drilled effort.

Calum McIntyre’s side continued to see promise down the left flank with a series of Woods chances and, in the 32nd minute, Pat Jones’ attempt to round the keeper bounced off Urwin and into the back of the net to earn a first-half lead.

Ten minutes later, Anjola Popoola found himself amongst the home defence to slot a effort through on goal, as he flicked into the far corner from a dangerous cross.

Three minutes after the interval, Woods found the side netting with a low shot just wide of the post, before a Harry Ibbitson shot sailed over the bar, offering little to challenge Murray-Jones.

Tom Carr then played an inviting ball into the area that ricocheted off Murray-Jones into the path of Ibbitson, but he failed to capitalise from close-range.

Captain Declan Weeks offered a moment of magic in the 60th minute with a beautiful volleyed effort.

A high ball fell to the Blues’ skipper before he unleashed a fantastic strike that gave Urwin no chance and earned our second lead of the contest on the hour mark.

In the 77th minute, Andy Preece’s side pulled level once again, this time courtesy of Mike Calveley who nodded home at the back post after a well-flighted cross.

Parity lasted just three minutes for the Magpies, as Pat Jones delivered a teasing ball across the six-yard box that gave Dion Kelly-Evans the chance to apply a neat finish from close-range and earn his first Chester FC goal.

Late heartbreak came in the 94th minute as an in-swinging corner deceived Murray-Jones and flew into the home net.

The Blues are back in action in midweek for the rearranged clash with Spennymoor Town at The Brewery Field.

Match Report by Alice Humphries.

Chester FC: Murray-Jones, Kelly-Evans, Leak, Arthur, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Shrimpton, Murray, Jones, Peers, Woods (Mottley-Henry 82′)

Substitutes: Davies, Leigh, S. Burgess, Croker, I. Burgess, F. Roberts

Scorers: Urwin (OG) 32′, Popoola 42′, Weeks 60′, Calveley 77′, Kelly-Evans 81′, Murray-Jones (OG) 90+4′

Attendance: 2,164

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