FA TROPHY REPORT | Chester 3-1 Bradford PA

Chester advanced in the FA Trophy with a positive performance and comfortable victory over Bradford (Park Avenue) at the Deva Stadium.

A goal in each half – a header from George Waring and spot kick from Anthony Dudley – made the tie safe, before Will Goodwin put the icing on the cake with his first senior goal late on. Lewis Knight scored a stoppage time consolation for BPA.

The result ensured the Blues will visit Altrincham in Round Three this Saturday.

It was the Blues who had the first half chance of the evening – as Declan Weeks’ drive from distance was comfortably held by Will Huffer.

Moments later, the visitors then nearly took the lead. A kind deflection fell to Knight inside the box, his low drive was saved by Louis Gray but he couldn’t hold on to the ball – however a good block inside the six yard box denied Matty Downing on the follow up.

Nevertheless, Chester had the ascendancy for most of the half. Brad Jackson had an effort inside the box deflected over the bar – before a great run down the left from teenager Will Goodwin saw him craft a chance for himself by cutting inside and curling an attempt at goal, forcing Huffer to tip the ball behind.

However, Bern and Jonno’s side did hit the front just a minute later. Great work from Weeks saw him advance to the byline and hang up a superb cross for Waring to nod home his second of the campaign.

Weeks was at the forefront of the Chester dominance, and could have doubled the lead, but blazed over from Jackson’s pass before the break. His inswinging corner also caused problems, as Huffer’s wild punch from his dangerous delivery deflected off Simon Grand and dropped just wide of the post.

Just prior to the hour mark though, the Seals did get their well deserved second goal.

Hard work initially down the left from Goodwin paved the way, he cut the ball back for Dudley who was bundled to the ground by Luke Lyons. The forward dusted himself down and took the pen, sending Huffer the wrong way to double the advantage.

Two almost became three a matter of minutes later. Jackson stood a cross up into the six yard box that Waring headed down – but Dudley failed to turn the ball towards goal.

The second half became a quiet affair, with Chester dominating much of the proceedings. They were also able to introduce 18-year-old Youth Team Captain Harrison Burke for his senior debut.

The thriving Youth Academy would have been delighted – and then be doubly delighted to witness its newest graduate in Will Goodwin seal the tie with two minutes to play.

The striker charged down a loose header back to Huffer following Burke’s ball forward, he rounded up the goalkeeper and slotted home in front of a jubilant Harry McNally Terrace to make his mark.

Under the lights, it was almost a perfect evening. But BPA did get a consolation goal late on and spoil the Chester clean sheet – Knight turning home from close range following Tabish Hussain’s cross.

CHESTER: Gray, K Roberts, Lacey, Grand, Morgan, Jackson (Elliott 84), Clark, Weeks (Burke 80), Dudley, Waring (Marsh-Hughes 63), Goodwin.

SUBS NOT USED: Livesey, Glendon, Johnston, Bauress.

ATTENDANCE: 552.

SCORERS: Waring 21, Dudley (pen) 58, Goodwin 88; Knight 90.