Match Report: Curzon Ashton 4 - 0 Chester FC

Chester FC fell to a 4-0 defeat away to Craig Mahon’s Curzon Ashton, at the Tameside Stadium, in what was a tough afternoon for the Seals.

The Yellows got off to a nightmare start as centre-half Devon Matthews leapt highest from a corner to nod the ball past Elyh Harrison and give the hosts a lead inside 90 seconds.

It took a timely intervention from Jordan Hunter to prevent Curzon from doubling their advantage five minutes later as the full-back’s tackle halted Stefan Mols from progressing into the six yard box.

Harrison was then made to pay for a costly mistake as underlittle pressure the Manchester United loanee presented the ball to the lively Michael Afuye who punished the error with a simple finish to put the Nash 2-0 up inside 20 minutes.

The Seals’ afternoon went from bad to worse as Tom Peers clipped Stefan Mols just inside the box and the diminutive Spaniard sent Harrison the opposite way to convert the penalty and give Calum McIntyre’s side a mountain to climb.

Harrison then was forced into action again as he denied Isaac Buckley-Ricketts with a smart reflex save.

In the dying embers of the first period, Charlie Caton almost pulled one back with a swerving effort from 25-yards out, but his strike whistled just past Bobby Jones right-hand post.

The Chester manager attempted to change the game at the interval as he introduced Mitch Hancox and Dylan Mottley-Henry into the fold.

But it came to no avail, as Buckley-Ricketts slipped in behind Nathan Woodthorpe before rifling in Curzon’s fourth of the afternoon just past the hour mark.

Connell Rawlinson’s blushes were then spared as his back pass played through Curzon’s captain James Spencer but the forward’s rasping effort was tipped over the crossbar by Harrison.

The hosts continued to search for their fifth but second half substitute Luis Lacey’s shot was smothered by Harrison.

Craig Mahon’s side played out the remainder of the game with comfort and ease as this result means they go level on points with league leaders Chorley.

Match Report by Jude Deedigan

CHESTER: Harrison, Hunter, Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Glendon (Murray 62′), Weeks (Hancox 46′), Turner (Mottley-Henry 46′, Roberts 85′), Caton, Peers

Subs not used: Pollock