Blues Match Report: Nantwich Town 0 - 3 Chester FC

A dominant display over Nantwich Town earned a 3-0 success in Chester FC's penultimate pre-season outing.

A fantastic first-half showing saw the Seals on top at the Swansway Stadium, with fluid interplay between the front line pushing back the Dabbers’ defence.

The lead arrived in just the second minute as an inviting Declan Weeks saw the ball bundled over the line after a scramble inside the six-yard box, the perfect start for Phil Parkinson’s men.

Kofi Moore caused problems for the NPL Division One West outfit throughout the opening period, but his first effort was comfortably saved after the winger cut inside dangerously.

The former Bamber Bridge man continued to impress and went close again in the 12th minute, but once again his powerful strike was gathered by the Trialist in the home goal.

Chester weren’t troubled by the Dabbers before the break and went close again just before the half-hour mark, as a flowing team move culminated in a low cross from Billy Waters that was cleared behind for a corner inside the six-yard box with Nathan Woodthorpe bearing down on goal.

The lead was doubled just four minutes later through Tom Peers, who looked lively on the right-hand side, as our number seven swivelled and sent a drilled effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the 18-yard box.

One final chance arrived for the Seals prior to the interval as the home shot-stopper was forced into a fine stop to deny Declan Weeks’ long-range volleyed effort.

The second-half saw major changes for the Blues at the Swansay Stadium, which coincided with a slight reduction in attacking threat after the break.

Waters, who remained on the pitch until just after the hour mark, thought he had made it three in the 52nd minute as he tapped in at the back post but the forward was denied via the linesman’s flag.

The third did eventually come with 14 minutes left on the clock, as Dan Ward grabbed his first goal in Chester colours with a clever, low finish after the midfielder latched onto a fantastic through ball.

A dominant display from the Blues who now head into a final pre-season test ahead of 2026/27 against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Starting XI: Hewitson, Reed, Kenny, Griffin, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Murphy, Campbell, Moore, Waters, Peers.

Substitutes: Brown, Trialist A, Deakin, Burroughs, Burgess, Ward, Trialist B, Trialist C, Trialist D, Woods, Trialist E.

Scorers: OG 2′, Peers 33′, Ward 76′