CFCW REPORT: CHESTER FC 2 - 1 FC ST HELENS

Molly Wood’s double saw the Blues end St Helens 100% winning start to the season at the Leap76 Stadium.

The visitors came into this game keeping the pace with Wythenshawe in the table, having won all of their opening five encounters. But Chester made the bright start, their attacking intent the platform for a crucial victory.

Both Wood and Evie Halliwell tested the ‘keeper in the opening five minutes – before Rach Lloyd curled just wide on 20 minutes.

Their bright start was rewarded with a half time lead. It was a slick move forward which ended with Imogen Paul sliding through Wood, who made no mistake one-on-one.

Wood would then strike the post moments after the break with a free kick, before then beating the offside trap to coolly dispatch the second of the afternoon on 54 minutes.

The chances kept coming as Wood went close to a hat-trick, before Lloyd struck the post direct from a corner.

However, St Helens were allowed a way back into the game with a goal back on 75 minutes.

The visitors set up a grandstand finish and almost levelled with a cross which struck the crossbar in stoppage time – however the Blues hung on for a huge three points which moved them to fifth – three points behind their second placed opponents.

Chester: Foster, Sands, Priest, Adderley, Randles (Riley 71), Locke, Paul, Lloyd (Bullock 81), Wood, Gray (Redman 71), Halliwell (Bradley 46).

Scorers: Wood 27 & 54.

Photo by Luke Reynolds Photography.