Blues Match Report: Macclesfield 0 - 2 Chester

A perfect Easter Weekend for Chester was sealed by goals from Dylan Mottley-Henry and Jack Bainbridge in Macclesfield.

The Blues started well in East Cheshire and had the better sights of goal throughout the opening period.

Michael Kelly had the first major chance from just outside the 18-yard box but his curled strike bounced comfortably into the hands of Rogan Ravenhill.

The hosts’ opening foray into the final third culminated in an effort on goal from Luke Duffy whose low shot forced Bobby Jones into a smart stop.

The next major chance led to the opener, as Dylan Mottley-Henry got himself on the scoresheet for the second game in succession, and for the 14th time this season.

A ball in behind deceived a number of home defenders before falling to our number 11 who showed composure to slot past Ravenhill.

The remainder of the half went without major sights of goal at either end, with Connell Rawlinson’s men in control for the vast majority.

John Rooney made three changes at the break and his side came out stronger in the second period, going close firstly through Paul Dawson who forced an outstanding block from Tom Davies just after the hour-mark.

Kacper Pasiek was next to test his luck but his header dropped wide of Jones’ post.

A goalmouth scramble inside the Seals’ box ensued as the clock ticked over the 80-minute mark, as multiple last ditch blocks prevented an equaliser.

Then came the moment that sealed all three points, as substitute Bainbridge left his mark on the contest with eight minutes remaining.

A pin-point cross from Declan Weeks found our vice-captain in a sensational position inside the box, before Bainbridge powered a header past Ravenhill to send the away end behind the goal into bedlam.

Chester held on to the clean sheet in the dying moments of the contest to ensure a maximum points return from a fantastic Easter Weekend.

It’s the league leaders up next for Connell Rawlinson’s men as AFC Fylde make the trip to the Deva Stadium next Saturday.

Chester FC: Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, T. Davies, Mottley-Henry (Peers 71′), Kelly, Shrimpton (Bainbridge 71′), Leigh, Carson, S. Burgess (Roberts 82′), Croker.

Subs not used: B. Davies, Leak, Woods, Rosenblatt

Scorers: Mottley-Henry 26′, Bainbridge 82′.

You can watch the post-match interview with Connell Rawlinson, here...