MATCH REPORT: CHESTER FC 0 - 3 STOKE CITY

A very strong Stoke City side ran out comfortable victors at the Deva Stadium through goals from Emre Tezgal and Niall Ennis, despite a resilient performance from Calum McIntyre’s men.

The visitors pressed the Seals backline early on and found success in the fourteenth minute when some silky play from Andre Vidigal set up Tezgal who beat Cam Mason with a low finish.

Charlie Caton almost created an equaliser just minutes later, as he drove past Lynden Gooch down the left hand side but his drilled cross was met by a Stoke foot rather than Dan Turner’s who was bearing down on goal.

The Potters almost doubled their lead after half an hour when a corner was met by centre-back Michael Rose but his header was superbly cleared off the line by Mitch Hancox.

The rebound was met acrobatically by Mehdi Leris and his effort beat Mason but smashed back off the crossbar.

Leris was a major threat for the Potters and found space again five minutes later but this time his low, drilled strike was blocked well by Mason.

After the Blues defence fought off some heavy pressure, the away side got their second of the evening on the stroke of half time as Tezgel doubled his tally.

The 18-year-old found space inside the 18-yard-box and slotted a clever finish past Mason.

Following a flurry of Chester changes and an entire new XI for the visitors, the Potters attacked with Niall Ennis almost making an instant impact but Jack Bainbridge slid in and blocked the shot.

Bainbridge’s defensive skills were needed again just moments later as he prevented a Million Manhoef strike from testing Mason.

Ennis thought he had got the third for Stoke but the offside flag was raised after he found the bottom corner.

The 25-year-old got his goal and sealed the result just minutes later though as he latched onto a Bae Junho cross before slotting home.

Up next for the Seals is the trip to the Isle of Man, where we will face FC Isle of Man on Friday 19 July and Lancaster City on Sunday 21 July.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

CHESTER FC: Mason, Hunter (Bott 67), Williams, Pollock (Burke 46), Heywood, Woodthorpe (Rawlinson 46), Bainbridge, Hancox (Murray 46), Rosenblatt (Weeks 46), Caton (Peers 46), Turner (Davies 89).

SUBS NOT USED: Trialist (GK).

SCORERS: Tezgel 14 & 45, Ennis 85.