Superb performance from Chester who get back to winning ways in style.

National League North
Attendance: 2,087 (27 Merthyr) Half Time: 0-1
Booked: Woodthorpe.

Chester: Hewitson, Burroughs, Woodthorpe, Weeks (Abreu 86), Griffin, Peers (Boggan 66), Waters (Hazel 72), Ward, Murphy (Foley 79), Woods (Moore 46), Reed. Subs not used: Mackin, Burgess.
Merthyr Town: Cogman, Foulston, Margetson, Humphries, Wigley (Livermore 75), Maddox (Harris 85), Watts (Simpson 62), J.Evans, K.Evans (Smerdon 82), Lucas, Spiers. Subs not used: Thomas, John, Williams.
Referee: Jonathan Chadwick.

After earning a point at Hebburn at the weekend it was a hugely disappointing result tonight against Merthyr for City.

Phil Parkinson had been critical of the performance at Hebburn and warned that Chester would need to be at the top of their game against the Martyrs - who he felt were one of the best footballing sides in this competitive league. Ironically, speaking after this match he praised his side for their efforts as Chester dominated the first half and, having conceded a goal just on half time, raised their intensity in the second to pile pressure on the visitors but in the end came away with nothing.

His opposite number Paul Michael concurred that Chester’s performance had been the best they had encountered this season so far and he was extremely pleased to come away with the win which they had to work really hard for.

One moment of quality decided the outcome: Kieran Evans carried the ball from within his own half to midway into City’s, riding a couple of challenges. His forward pass found Maddox who took a touch under pressure and fed the ball wide to Lucas who clipped a first time shot just inside Hewitson’s far post for a clinical finish.

Despite their dominance in either half City could not find that same precision in front of goal. Best opportunity of the first period came when Waters broke through with a defender in pursuit. Under pressure he played the ball to Peers on his right but it fell slightly behind Peers who then needed an extra touch and passed it back to Waters. By then defenders had recovered to smother the attack and the chance was gone.

Stung by going behind Chester came out for the second half determined to attack with higher intensity. Moore replaced Woods at the interval and was quickly involved down the right. The Blues built up a head of steam as the Harry Mac urged them on. Connor Murphy got to the by-line behind the Martyrs’ defence and pulled the ball back but no-one was in the right place to seize the chance. Peers tried an opportune shot on the turn which fizzed across the goal. Then City came so close to an equaliser when the excellent Sam Reid cut in from the right and unleashed a shot towards the far corner. Cogman in the Merthyr goal did just enough to touch it on to the crossbar and the rebound was cleared.

Jefferson Abreu, Jacob Hazel and home debutant Joe Boggan all came on to supplement City’s attacking efforts. Abreu and Boggan both made inviting crosses from either wing but both came to nothing as Martyrs’ defended their lead with the tenacity of Spartan warriors at the Pass of Thermopylae.

In many ways the game resembled the match against Morecambe where City struggled to pick the lock of a stubborn rear-guard action. They were not helped by the absence of Ma’kel Campbell, injured at the weekend whilst Bainbridge and McHale continue to make recoveries from their injury setbacks. Somehow the Blues need to find their killer touch in front of goal.

Chester had to be content with a share of the points after their first visit to Hebburn Town ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Blues (in yellow) got off to a great start, Ma'kel Campbell threaded a through ball to Nathan Woodthorpe whose shot on goal took a deflection past 'keeper Isaac Allan to give Chester an eighth minute advantage.

The lead was maintained seven minutes later as Luke Hewitwson produced a fine save to deny Robert Briggs from finding the net.

Chester looked to double their advantage before the break as both Billy Waters and Tom Peers forced saves.

Hebburn started the second half with purpose and drew level seven minutes after the break as Tom Allan cut inside from the right before shooting over Hewitson from distance.

Peers almost produced an instant response forcing a smart save out of Allan. The resulting corner was cleared by the Town defence.