BLUES MATCH REPORT - HARTLEPOOL UNITED 0 - 2 CHESTER FC

Chester FC advanced into the Emirates FA Cup First Round proper, for the first time in nine years, with a memorable away win at Hartlepool United.

A goal in each half, in the 13th minute of each half, from Elliott Whitehouse and Charlie Caton was the catalyst for the perfect away performance.

Calum McIntyre made two changes from last Saturday’s dramatic 3-2 win, as Kieran Coates and Matty Williams replaced Tom Sparrow and Reece Daly, who both dropped to the bench.

After a quiet start on the pitch but a vocal beginning off it, Chester opened the scoring on 13 minutes with their first attack of the game.

Harrison Burke started the move with a driving run beyond Tom Crawford, before sweeping a pass in which was touched on by Caton and then whipped into the corner by Whitehouse.

The hosts’ first real shot of the game came from distance by Luke Hendrie who had space, but his effort was gathered low comfortably by Wyll Stanway.

Hartlepool continued to apply pressure but the Blues continued to stand firm in their shape. A neat piece of play opened Chester up for the first time on 35 minutes as Mani Dieseruvwe played a delightful pass for Joe Grey – but his ball across the box flashed wide of the far post.

The onslaught from the hosts continued after the break as Stanway was forced to beat away a low effort from Grey, before Chester hit their second sucker punch of the afternoon.

Glendon won it back and fed the run of Caton who powered beyond Manny Onariase and smashed under Jameson to make it two and send the away end wild.

Pools continued to be shut down and Dieseruvwe was having to try his luck from range, firing wide, before sub Chris Wreh got his touch horribly wrong when through on goal and Stanway gathered.

At the other end Caton almost made it three on the counter with a strong low effort, saved powerfully in equal measure by the left hand of Jameson.

Crawford was denied by Stanway at the end but that was it – a perfect away performance creating a bit of history for the reformed club.

Chester: Stanway, Coates, Burke (Daly 75), Edwards, Williams, Taylor, Roberts, Glendon (Thomas 83), Weeks, Whitehouse, Caton.

Subs Not Used: Davies, Evans, Sparrow, Murray, Maguire.

Scorers: Whitehouse 13, Caton 58.

Attendance: 3,205 (471 Chester).

Photo: Calum Jones Photography.