Match reports from March 2026

Saturday 14 March
Kidderminster Harriers 1 Chester 1
National League North
Attendance: 3,029 (342 Chester) Half-time 0-0
Booked: Weeks, Carson.

Kidderminster Harriers: Dibble, Devine, Obi, Thompson (Morgan-Smith 80), Donnelly, Foulkes, Evans, Davis, Cooper (Kandola 80), Reynolds, Bird. Subs not used: Clarke, Faakye, Walker, Sho-Silva, Minaker.
Chester: B.Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, T.Davies, Mottley-Henry, Shrimpton, Leigh, Carson, S.Burgess (Rosenblatt 73), Croker, F.Roberts (Peers 58). Subs not used: B.Davies, Leak, Deakin, Corbett, White.
Referee: =.

Fin Shrimpton finds the net again as Chester earn a point at Aggborough.

• League table after Kidderminster draw

Tuesday 10 March
Merthyr Town 1 Chester 2
National League North
Attendance: 1,104 Half-time 1-1
Booked: T.Davies.

Merthyr Town: Cogman, Ryan-Phillips, Handley, John (K.Evans 74), Xavier-Jones (Maddox 59), Twamley, J.Evans, Harros, Cox (Rai 68), Williams, Lucas. Subs not used: Dennis, Bourne, Caswell.
Chester: B.Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Leak, T.Davies, Murray, Mottley-Henry, Shrimpton, Leigh (S.Burgess 75), Carson, F.Roberts (Rosenblatt 81). Subs not used: B.Davies, Croker, I.Burgess, Corbett, White.
Referee: S.Ouchene.

Another last gasp winner as Dylan Mottley-Henry heads home in the 97th minute!

• League table after Merthyr victory

Saturday 7 March
Chester 2 Darlington 1
National League North
Attendance: 2,437 Half-time 1-1
Booked: Weeks, Woodthorpe, Mottlry-Henry.

Chester: B.Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, T.Davies, Mottley-Henry, Kelly (Carson 62), Shrimpton, Leigh (S.Burgess 86), Woods (Corbett 90+5), K.Roberts, F.Roberts (Murray 68). Subs not used: B.Davies, Leak, Croker.
Darlington: Watson, Barrow, Platt, Lees, Forbess, Maskell (Lowes 85), Main, McGowan, Rutledge, Griffiths (Howells 55), Tweedy (Hedley 80). Subs not used: McGrath, Myers-Smith, Barton.
Referee: Jason Porter.

Fin Shrimpton struck a dramatic late winner as the game extended to the added time of added time. It was an exhilarating climax to an entertaining match, a joyful footnote to Kev Roberts’ fine career and a first win for Connell Rawlinson as interim manager.

All Chester eyes were on the starting line-up to see what changes the new manager would make to the team. Woodthorpe, Kelly, Tom Davies and Kevin Roberts lined up across the back with Leigh Shrimpton, Weeks and Woods all in midfield and Fin Roberts and Dylan Mottley-Henry in attack. The Blues had a fluidity about them going forward and began taking to game to the visitors. Soon they were ahead as they played out under intense pressure from the back. Weeks turned Leigh’s hopeful clearance into a good one and set Connor Woods forward. He then found Mottley-Henry who ran at the defence and fed Woods with a return pass. Woods’ low shot was parried by Rory Watson but followed up by Mottley-Henry to crash the ball past him for the opener.

The Blues put the Quakers under pressure for a considerable spell Kev Roberts had an effort cleared off the line; Fin Roberts saw his shot blocked by the keeper and Kelly’s shot was turned over the bar by Watson. They broke with speed tool and from a Darlington set-piece Leigh ended a swift counter attack by shootng narrowly wide of the far post.

Darlington recovered some composure before half time (After the ubiquitous time-out as the keeper sat down for treatment) but still trailed at the break. Chester nearly doubled the lead straight after when Davies crashed a shot against the bar following a corner. Then Darlington asserted themselves more and established control of the ball for long spells. They equalised after two corners in quick succession when Lees headed home a looping corner from the left.

It also shortly followed Michael Kelly having to go off through injury, Hayden Carson – returning to Chester on loan – replaced him. A significant change for the visitors preceded the goal when Max Howells was introduced to the action. His energy and speed of passing gave the Quakers a higher intensity. Connell Rawlinson responded by changing Chester’s shape to 4-3-3 which gave them a greater purchase on the game – though as it neared the final stages the play became end to end as both sides went for the win.

Aidan Rutledge brought a great save out of Bobby Jones following Howells’ assist. Then City thought they had regained the lead when Shrimpton turned in Leigh’s cross from the left. The linesman’s flag was raised, however – presumably because he thought the ball had crossed the goal-line before the cross.

Next Darlo came forward but a timely intervention by Tom Davies set Chester on the counter. Murray (on for Fin Roberts ) carried it forward to Shrimpton on the right who invited Mottley-Henry to run through and shoot but he was just unable to get it past the onrushing Watson.

Seven minutes stoppage time was added. Weeks floated a free kick from the right into the box. Mottley-Henry rose to meet it but his header was straight at Watson. Further injuries occurred to Lees, the Darlo goalscorer and Woods after a crunching tackle both were substituted. As the clock ticked past the allotted minimum seven minutes, Woods’ replacement Scott Burgess played a one-two with Murray and placed a shot towards the far post. It was stopped by Watson but fell loose for Shrimpton to scoop it past a defender on the goal-line for the latest of winners.

There was still time for Darlington to come forward for one last chance – only for Kev Roberts (Who else?) to head away and then throw himself in front of a Darlington forward poised to shot. The final whistle blew and Kev was able to take his last bow - as man of the match. Plenty remained to wish him well and applaud the team off as a Chester legend went down the tunnel after his final game.

Colin Mansley

• League table after Darlington victory

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