Blues Match Report: Darlington 0 - 1 Chester

Chester FC has recorded a third win on the bounce, at the start of the season, for the first time since 2013.

A fast-paced first-half at Blackwell Meadows began with a Tom Peers volleyed effort that slid wide after positive work from Jacob Hazel, making his first competitive start for the Seals.

Sam Reed was hugely influential throughout the opening period, dominating his personal battle down the right-hand side.

The right-back drove brilliantly just before the 15 minute-mark and crossed for Connor Woods who saw his effort blocked inside the six-yard box.

Woods then ran dangerously at his man and got past Bobby Jones but his cross was cleared from inside the area.

George Burroughs had the next opportunity but his strike slid wide after a drilled cross from Tom Peers.

Jacob Hazel also went close with a flicked header that sailed narrowly wide, before Campbell looked dangerous again and fired just over.

The final chance before the break saw Peers break in behind only for Jones to close him down and block the effort smartly.

The second-half saw the deadlock broken just before the hour mark, as Campbell netted for the third time in three games.

Our number 20 linked up brilliantly with Jacob Hazel before firing a drilled finish into the bottom corner, a fantastic strike.

Phil Parkinson’s men continued to impose themselves going forward as the contest went on, with the next chance falling to Nathan Woodthorpe who sent a strike narrowly over the bar.

Darlington pumped balls into the area late on but Luke Hewitson dealt brilliantly in the air, and Chester held on to three magnificent points.

Starting XI: Hewitson, Burroughs, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Griffin, Peers, Hazel, Murphy, Woods, Campbell, Reed.

Substitutes: Mackin, Kenny, Waters, Ward, Abreu, Rosenblatt, Lomax.

Scorers: Campbell 57′

You can watch the post-match interview with Blues Boss Phil Parkinson here...