Blues Match Report: Stalybridge Celtic 1 - 2 Chester FC

Chester FC secured their spot in the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in dramatic fashion thanks to Jack Bainbridge’s late winner.

Tom Peers had opened the scoring at Bower Fold with a fantastic lobbed effort before Benni Smales-Braithwate equalised with a low finish.

Peers thought he had grabbed the lead after just eight minutes when he poked past Charlie Monks after a defensive scramble in the Stalybridge box.

It was a clever finish from our number seven but the linesman’s flag was up and the potential opener was chalked off.

Bainbridge forced Monks into a fantastic stop just before the 15-minute mark as the ‘keeper palmed away the powerful, long-range effort that looked destined for the top corner.

Smales-Braithwaite looked a threat for the hosts for the majority of the opening period alongside strike partner Ruben Jerome.

The former spurned his first opportunity of the contest as he blazed wide from around 12 yards out.

Calum McIntyre’s men began to dominate the Celts during the latter stages of the first-half and that momentum continued at the start of the second, with the Seals now attacking down the noticeable slope at Bower Fold.

The breakthrough came just after the hour-mark courtesy of a delightful piece of skill from Peers.

Our number seven netted his first of the campaign with a lobbed effort that proved far too good for ‘keeper Monks.

Offrande Zanzala also came close to his first goal of the season but his shot was pushed away after fantastic linkup between himself and Peers.

The hosts levelled with 13 minutes remaining as Smales-Braithwaite’s drilled effort rolled into the net after striking the post.

Parity did not last long for Stalybridge though as Jack Bainbridge rifled in a late winner in brilliant fashion.

The ball fell to the midfielder in the 88th minute on the edge of the 18-yard box and he swept home with power past Monks and into the top corner.

There was one nervy moment deep into stoppage time for the Seals as the Celts’ ‘keeper Monks almost grabbed a dramatic equaliser but Murray-Jones managed to get a strong hand on it and push over the bar.

A place in the Third Qualifying Round secured for Chester after a hard-fought victory in Greater Manchester, with the draw for the next stage set to take place on Monday afternoon.

CHESTER FC: Murray-Jones, K. Roberts, Leak, Rawlinson, Carson, Bainbridge, Murray (Shrimpton 76′), Weeks, P. Jones (Mottley-Henry 64′), F. Roberts (Zanzala 62′), Peers

Subs not used: Barlow, Kelly-Evans, Woodthorpe, Woods.

Scorers: Peers 51′, Smales-Braithwaite 77′, Bainbridge 88′

You can watch the post-match interview with Blues Boss Calum McIntyre here...