Blues Match Report: Gainsborough Trinity 1 - 0 Chester FC

Calum McIntyre’s men were knocked out of the FA Trophy on the road by Gainsborough Trinity this afternoon.

Declan Howe scored the only goal of the game in the 87th minute from close-range.

It was a slow start in Lincolnshire, as both sides approached each other with caution, which caused a lack of goal-mouth action in the opening 20 minutes.

Kurt Willoughby had the first clear-cut opportunity of the contest, as he cut inside and struck towards the far corner but Dylan Wharton held in the home goal.

Gainsborough’s first shot on target came in the 39th minute, but Elyh Harrison held Bobby Johnson’s long-range effort in comfortable fashion.

Trinity pushed on in the closing stages of the half and went close twice, firstly through Sisa Tuntulwana, who smashed the ball against the under-side of the crossbar from an acute angle, before the ball bounced away for a throw-in.

The hosts’ talisman Declan Howe had the second chance, but his close-range shot was straight at Harrison, and the score remained goalless at the interval.

Unlike the first half, the second started at a rapid pace, with chances at both ends just after the interval.

Tuntulwana whipped a curled effort towards goal for Gainsborough, but Harrison matched it and tipped over the bar.

Burnley loanee Will Hugill had the Seals’ first opportunity of the period, but his low shot was comfortably dealt with by the Trinity defence.

Willoughby went close just moments later, when the number nine flashed a volley over the bar after an excellent cross from Jordan Hunter, who featured in an advanced role for the Yellows at right-back.

Gainsborough looked to have grabbed the opening goal just before the hour-mark, when the ball was bundled over the goal line from a well-delivered corner.

Referee Liam Smith handed Calum McIntyre’s men a reprieve though, as he spotted a foul on a Chester player inside the area when the ball was floated into the box.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men with 10 minutes left of the contest, as Jack Bainbridge saw red after a poor challenge in midfield.

Trinity grabbed the winning goal with just three minutes left of the contest.

Harrison looked to have caught the ball inside the six yard box but it fell from his hands which allowed Howe a simple finish from close-range.

A sickening blow for the Seals, who battled hard in Lincolnshire but exit the FA Trophy in the second round.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

CHESTER FC: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Pollock, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Murray (Turner 85′), Weeks, Hugill (Caton 62′), Peers, Willoughby (Hancox 74′).

Subs not used: Rawlinson, Glendon

Scorers: N/A

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