BLUES MATCH REPORT: Hereford 1 - 2 Chester FC

Chester FC moved up to third in the National League North table with another away success – this time at Hereford.

Charlie Caton gave the Blues the lead just shy of the hour mark, before a Thierry Latty-Fairweather strike pegged them back. However, top scorer Kurt Willoughby was on hand to score the winner eleven minutes from time.

Manager Calum McIntyre made two changes from Saturday’s dramatic late win at Bradford (Park Avenue), as Liam Edwards and Rhys Hughes returned to the side in place of Lewis Earl and Anthony Dudley.

Chester really should have hit the front inside five minutes. Caton burst clear but saw his powerful low shot well saved by Dino Visser, with Willoughby turning the rebound inches wide of the post.

The hosts started to grow into the game following an early scare, as a dangerous corner from Kane Thompson-Sommers was hooked over the bar by Orrin Pendley via a deflection.

But the Seals continued to carry a threat at the other end and Willoughby had another big opportunity on 21 minutes, timing his run to perfection to meet Jamie Morgan’s superb low center, but the forward blazed over.

Another shot on target came moments later as Declan Weeks won the ball off Latty-Fairweather and found loanee Hughes, his low left footed strike forcing Visser to push the ball away.

Yan Klukowski’s men ended the half stronger and had two decent openings in first half stoppage time, but first Latty-Fairweather dragged an effort wide before Levi Andoh volleyed just off target following a neat one-two with Thompson-Sommers.

Jack Holmes, the man who scored Hereford’s winner on the weekend, went close at the start of the second half – his shot just wide after driving forward with purpose away from Morgan.

Nevertheless, the Shewsbury loanee had his second of the week just prior to the hour mark to give Chester the advantage. Weeks did well to hang a ball up to the back stick, with Caton on hand to nod home and send the 148 away fans into raptures.

But after a lull in proceedings following the opener, Hereford hit back on 74 minutes. A quick free kick over the top by Thompson-Sommers found Latty Fairweather, who cut inside and curled beyond Harry Tyrer.

Chester though wouldn’t be denied and were back in front just after. Weeks’ corner bounced and was headed against the crossbar by Matty Williams, but Willoughby was on hand to turn in his 24th of the campaign.

The Bulls failed to muster a late response as Calum McIntyre’s men managed the game effectively to take all three points.

CHESTER: Tyrer, Morgan, Williams, Edwards, Heywood, Roberts, Weeks, Hughes (Lynch 76), Murray, Caton, Willoughby (Thomas 90+2).

SUBS NOT USED: Brown, Stephenson, Earl.

SCORERS: Latty-Fairweather 74; Caton 59, Willoughby 79.

ATTENDANCE: 1,639 (148 Chester).

Watch the post-match interview with Blues Boss, Calum McIntyre here...