REPORT | Chester 0-0 Bolton Wanderers

Chester put in a positive performance in their final home pre-season game at the Deva against Bolton Wanderers.

Anthony Dudley struck the woodwork, while both Darren Stephenson and Declan Weeks went close. At the other end, the Blues were solid in defence against EFL opposition and limited them to few opportunities.

It was a quiet opening 45 at the Deva. The League One side, playing a mix of first teamers and younger players, had a lot of the ball but Chester had the big chance of the half.

That opportunity arrived on 33 minutes. George Waring dealt well with a bouncing ball before playing through Dudley. The forward kept composed to wrong foot the defender, but his left footed shot struck the base of the post with Matt Gilks well beaten.

Prior to this, Louis Gray was alert to a through ball, enabling him to smother a pass in behind which appeared to have presented George Thomason with an opportunity.

Chester came out strong in the second half and had some positive spells. Before the hour mark, Weeks had an effort from the halfway line which drifted wide before being slipped through by John Johnston but struck the side netting with his attempt.

Down towards Gray’s goal, Dan Cowan was solid at the back to slide in and stop Jay Fitzmartin inside the area.

Fitzmartin went close then on 70 minutes, shooting first time from Ronan Darcy’s pass but could only find the roof of the net. The home side then caused a goalmouth scramble following a corner, which saw the ball drop for Stephenson, however his shot was well tipped over by  Gilks.

The game fizzled out towards the end as the visitors dominated possession, but failed to breakdown a solid Seals rearguard.

CHESTER: Gray, Morgan, Livesey (Roberts 78), Williams, Cowan, Hardy (Oyibo 63), Glendon, Weeks, Johnston (Marsh-Hughes 75), Dudley (Trialist 81), Waring (Stephenson 63).

SUBS NOT USED: Worsnop, Burke.

ATTENDANCE: 612.