National League North
Attendance: 1,374 (21 Alfreton) Half-time 2-1
Booked: Croker.

Chester: B.Jones, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Leak, Murray (Mottley-Henry 71), Kelly (Peers 71), Shrimpton, Leigh, Woods (White 81), P.Jones, Croker. Subs not used: B.Davies, Peers, Bainbridge, Mottley-Henry, I.Burgess, F.Roberts.
Alfreton Town: Burgoyne, Newall, Cummings, Hunt, Perritt, Wallace (Newell 59), McDonagh (McCann 63), Lund, Salmon (Dodoo 84), Ayres, Ligendza. Subs not used: Wright.
Referee: Robert Claussen.

Chester once again infuriated both manager and supporters by the fragility of their defending as they were held to a draw by struggling Alfreton.

Cal McIntye raised eyebrows with his team selection which had no recognised striker on the pitch but four (Peers, Fin Roberts, Dylan Mottley-Henry, White) on the bench. At times it seemed that Iwan Murray was in the closest proximity to a central attacking role but – given the height advantage of Alfreton’s two centre halves it was not an equal contest. Murray, along with Woods and Jones were busy around the box when Chester did get the ball forward but they struggled to create clear openings.

Getting the ball forward was also problematic in the early part of the game. Chester tried their patient build-up play form the back but were often stymied by Alfreton’s pressing in midfield and the visitors were able to overturn possession often. Ayres tested Bobby Jones with a shot from distance – the Chester ‘keeper was forced to tip it over for a corner. As the Reds forced more corners they exerted intense pressure on the City defence. Chester looked jittery and it came as no surprise when the visitors used their intimidating height advantage to take the lead after half an hour. A corner to the far post was headed back across, Jones parried the next header up in the air and Ayres won the aerial battle to nod in the rebound on the goal line.

The Blues replied by putting on possession base pressure themselves. Shrimpton finished a promising move by shooting from the edge of the area. Harry Burgoyne in the Alfreton goal was forced to concede a corner. Then came City’s equaliser. Croker headed down for Shrimpton to hook the bouncing ball into the net. City kept their attacking momentum and when Woods was tripped in the box he stepped up himself to send Burgoyne the wrong way and give Chester the lead at half time.

Within two minutes of the second half City had frittered away that goal advantage by conceding the most slovenly of goals. A long free kick forward from deep within Alfreton territory was flicked on once then again before Cummings had the ball at his feet and was allowed to pick his spot to shoot and score before any attendant Chester defenders could get a challenge in.

As Cal McIntyre stated in his post-match interview “You cannot consistently be having to score two or three goals to win a home game”. Chester had made it so difficult for themselves to win this game. They certainly tried and easily had the lion’s share of possession and inventiveness around the Alfreton box. The closest thing to a winner was Leak heading Shrimpton’s cross against the cross bar with fifteen minutes to go. Forwards Peers and Mottley-Henry were introduced to the action and Jaiden White also emerged for his home debut but all to no avail as the game petered out for a draw. Whilst Alfreton momentarily threatened to snatch another goal from a long throw or a corner – they seemed content with their point on the road. Chester, on the other hand. Were frustrated at home and failed to build decisively on the three points they snatched from the jaws of defeat at Bedford.