NLN REPORT | Chester 3-0 AFC Telford United

Chester made the perfect start to 2021 with a thumping win over AFC Telford United at the Deva Stadium.

Josh Askew scored his first Blues goal inside the opening ten minutes – before second half strikes from Declan Weeks and Anthony Dudley sealed the victory and complete a seven-day double over the Bucks.

A lively, high intensity first half saw opportunities created at both ends in the snow.

Just seconds after Edward Jones fired against the side netting for AFC Telford – the hosts hit the front courtesy of Askew.

He latched on to a pass behind the defence from Man of the Match Weeks, showing a terrific burst of speed, before keeping his head and poking the ball through the legs of ex-Blue Russ Griffiths for his maiden Chester goal.

The chances kept on flowing. George Glendon set up John Johnston on the edge, but the winger fired wide – before Jordan Davies saw his attempted lob tipped wide by Louis Gray when he was one-on-one.

Davies had another big chance for the Bucks just after the half hour mark. He was found unmarked in the box by Dominic McHale and, fortunately for the Blues, sidefooted over the crossbar.

Glendon then volleyed over in the last minute of the normal time, before a Red Card was brandished in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Telford full back Lee Vaughan was given his marching orders by Referee Daniel Locker for a nasty challenge on the halfway line on Luke Clark. Danny Livesey and Jack Byrne were booked for their respective sides for their involvement in the melee that followed.

Chester made the man advantage count and dominated proceedings in the second 45 on their way to a routine win. Askew nearly made it a brace as Dudley picked him out unmarked on the left, however Griffiths was down well to deny him just a few minutes into the half.

Nevertheless, Bern and Jonno’s side made their possession count and doubled the lead on 56 minutes. Johnston provided the assist at the end of a positive move, as his low cross was swept home by the onrushing Weeks for his fourth of the campaign.

The third came a quarter of an hour from time, and was another super move.

Dudley exchanged passes with Weeks before volleying a rocket into the goal – bagging for the fifth successive match for Chester.

Johnston was denied by Griffiths in the final ten, before Telford finished with nine men after Brendon Daniels departed the field due to injury.

Courtney Meppen-Walter almost pulled one back in injury time, but Gray made a solid stop with his feet to preserve his clean sheet.

CHESTER: Gray, Morgan, Askew (Elliott 58), Roberts, Livesey (Taylor 46), Grand (Waring 58), Weeks, Glendon, Clark, Dudley, Johnston.

SUBS NOT USED: Bauress, Goodwin.

SCORERS: Askew 8, Weeks 56, Dudley 76.