MATCH REPORT | Chester 1-0 Bradford (PA)

Chester moved up to 5th in the National League North table with a third successive victory in the week.

In a game of few chances, striker Kurt Willoughby proved to be the difference, firing home his 12th of the season in the second half.

Manager Calum McIntyre made two changes from Tuesday’s win at Spennymoor Town, as Liam Edwards and Anthony Dudley both returned to start in place of Alex Kenyon and Kole Hall.

The Blues had an opportunity in the first minute as Kieran Coates’ cross was headed towards goal by Harrison Burke, but Willoughby couldn’t quite turn it goalwards from close range.

At the other end, Will Longbottom fired over from the edge after exchanging passes with Brad Dockerty.

A quiet half of football saw the hosts have another half chance on the half hour – as Iwan Murray played a neat one-two with Declan Weeks before firing over the crossbar.

Bradford (PA) had a big opportunity before the half to go in front, Dockerty getting the better of Burke and going through, but Harry Tyrer was out quickly to smother the effort and then blast the ball clear.

The uneventful nature of the first half crept into the second, as the Blues struggled to create any clear openings.

It took an assist from the boot of the ‘keeper to break the deadlock. Tyrer’s first time ball forward flew beyond the visiting back line and Willoughby was quickest to react, sliding in and turning the ball past George Sykes-Kenworthy.

Bradford had a big chance late on to draw level, as sub Lucas Odunston met Thomas Angell’s cross at the back post, but fired against the side netting.

The Blues saw it out to move up the table and extend their impressive unbeaten run.

CHESTER: Tyrer, Coates, Burke, Edwards, Heywood, Roberts, Devine (Lynch 60), Weeks, Murray (Hall 72), Dudley, Willoughby (Thomas 89).

SUBS NOT USED: Morgan, Kenyon.

SCORERS: Willoughby 67.

ATTENDANCE: 2,000.