Match Report: Chester FC 0 - 1 Brackley Town

Calum McIntyre’s men were defeated by Brackley Town in their first home game of the league campaign. Connor Hall netted from close-range in the 72nd minute, to secure victory for the visitors.

It was a quiet start to the contest at the Deva, without any goal-mouth action for either side in the early stages.

George Carline squandered the first chance of the half for the Saints with a tame headed effort from a corner that landed comfortably wide of Cam Mason’s post.

The Seals had to wait until just after the half hour mark before a clear-cut opportunity presented itself but Connell Rawlinson’s header from close-range was pushed away by Jonny Maxted.

The ball bounced out dangerously into the six-yard box and Harrison Burke attempted to latch on to it but he was adjudged to have handled the ball, allowing the visitors to clear from the resulting free-kick.

Carline’s long throws were causing slight panic in the Chester box, but not enough to trouble Mason and the half drew to a close without any further chances.

The second period began at a much quicker pace than the first and both Danny Newton and Kurt Willoughby had golden chances within 15 minutes of the restart.

Newton latched on to a well delivered cross but his powerful header flew wide, then Willoughby found space in behind the Brackley defence before striking a low, drilled effort just wide of Maxted’s far post.

Burke had a great opportunity just a few minutes later when he met a Iwan Murray corner at the back post but his downward header was saved by the feet of Maxted.

The away side broke the deadlock with 18 minutes to go, when a Carline long throw eventually fell to Connor Hall who smashed the ball into the net.

Calum McIntyre’s men tried to test the Brackley backline late on but the away side held firm for the rest of the contest and claimed their first points of the season.

The Blues are back down CH1 on Tuesday night as we host Radcliffe.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

Photo credit: Millie Johnson.

CHESTER: Mason, Hunter, Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Hancox (Glendon 70′), Murray,  Caton, Willoughby (Turner 81′), Peers.

SUBS NOT USED: Brown, Rosenblatt, Roberts.

SCORERS: Hall 72′.