Blues Match Report: Lower Breck 1 - 2 Chester

A brace from Ruben Butt on his full Chester FC debut earned progression to the Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round.

A tight opening period saw few chances in the early stages, with both teams working each other out at the Anfield Sports & Community Centre.

Jefferson Abreu, who came into the starting XI alongside Butt, had our first chance as his powerful effort was blocked on the edge of the home box.

The hosts’ Captain Connor Millington miscued his volley shortly after, before Lucas Wilson’s free-kick landed safely in the palms of Luke Hewitson.

Luke Gill had the following opening but he was closed down by Jake Griffin and George Burroughs in the away box and the ball was cleared to safety.

Nathan Woodthorpe went close to opening the scoring just after the half-hour mark when his well-struck effort flew wide, before Butt got himself on the scoresheet just four minutes later.

His initial effort was pushed away by Joseph Bickerstaff but he poked home on the rebound, a clever finish from our number 34.

The Blues came out strongly in the second period and almost doubled the lead through Dan Ward, who drove through the heart of the Breck defence before his shot was brilliantly pushed over the crossbar by Bickerstaff.

The home side levelled with 17 minutes remaining through right-back William Edmondson, who slammed into the bottom corner after an initial effort was blocked.

With the tie heading for a replay in midweek, Phil Parkinson’s men grabbed the inititiave and won it in the 87th minute, as Butt snuck into the six-yard box to tap home from a few yards out after a drilled cross by Nathan Woodthorpe.

Lower Breck almost levelled again just a couple of minutes later but were denied by an excellent Hewitson save, as the shot-stopper pushed the ball behind for a corner.

We will now await Monday’s draw to find out our Third Qualifying Round opponents.

Starting XI: Hewitson, Burroughs, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Griffin, Waters, Ward, Murphy, Abreu, Reed, Butt.

Substitutes: Mackin, Peers, Hazel, Burgess, Foley, Boggan, Moore. 

Scorers: Butt 37′ 87′, Edmondson 73′.

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