REPORT | Whitchurch Alport 0-2 Chester

    New Manager Calum McIntyre started with a victory in his first pre-season game as Blues boss.

    A goal in each half from Sam Turner and Zack Clarke saw the Blues victorious at Yockings Park. The new boss named two teams, one for each half, with only goalkeeper Wyll Stanway playing the full 90 minutes.

    One of the new boys, Joe Lynch, twice went close early on. First drilling a ball across goal which Kole Hall was unable to connect with – before doing well to spin away from his man on halfway and drive forward before firing just over.

    Stanway was called into action on 20 minutes as Jordan Evans broke forward, forcing the ‘keeper a good low stop to his right.

    Whitchurch stopper Ash Rawlins was twice called into action before the break – first to deny Hall from Declan Weeks’ pass – before making a stunning reaction stop to tip Harrison Burke’s header over the bar.

    But the number one did concede on the stroke of half time. Hall did well to charge down his kick, before steadying himself and teeing up Turner who chipped the ball over Rawlins in style from range.

    Ten changes were made at the break and Trialist D almost made an instant impact seconds into the half when he burst into the box, but struck the foot of the post.

    Zack Clarke then went close on two separate occasions, before up the other end again Stanway had to deny Evans twice in quick succession.

    Striker Clarke would bag the second on 64 minutes though. Ollie Heywood’s initial corner found Liam Edwards, who saw his efforts both well blocked, before the Blues forward snatched up the loose ball and thumped it home.

    There was concern for Captain George Glendon who was forced off due to injury midway through the second half, which gave an opportunity to Academy second year scholar Reece Daly to make his Blues debut.

    CHESTER (First Half): Stanway, Roberts, Burke, Williams, Trialist A, Trialist B, Weeks, Lynch, Turner, Murray, Hall.

    CHESTER (Second Half): Stanway, Morgan, Edwards, Earl, Heywood, Horsfield, Trialist C, Glendon, Marsh-Hughes, Clarke, Trialist D.

    SCORERS: Turner 45, Clarke 64.