Report: Stockton Town 1-1 Chester

A late Connell Rawlinson header salvaged an FA Cup replay against seventh tier outfit Stockton Town.

The veteran defender threatened to score all day and he found the net right when Chester needed it on the stroke of the 90th minute.

The first half was played at a fairly pedestrian pace as the Seals patiently searched for a breakthrough.

The first chance of the match fell to National League North top goal scorer Charlie Caton inside the opening ten minutes after Cameron Painter had miscontrolled a raking Declan Weeks pass but Stockton goalkeeper Nathan Harker beat the strike away with a strong palm.

Shortly after, Caton was causing troubles again as he slipped in behind the opposition defence but Harker was equal to it again before sparking a counter attack.

Owen Gallacher burst through and was advancing towards Elyh Harrrison’s goal but Kevin Roberts’ timely intervention prevented an opening goal to the visitors.

The game was open with Stockton attempting to play expansive football whilst Chester tried to intricately break down the resolve of the Anchors defence.

Just past the half hour mark Calum McIntrye’s men thought they had taken the lead as Weeks squared it for Tom Peers to tap in from close range, but the former was adjudged to have strayed offside by the linesman.

The Seals then thought they had a penalty in the closing stages of the first period after Cameron Painter dived in on Peers inside the box and the referee blew his whistle, but to the dismay of the Chester players he pointed the other direction and penalised our number seven for simulation.

After the interval the contest continued to be tight as both sides were battling hard to find the decisive goal.

Weeks again was the architect as he whipped in a delightful ball in but Harrison Burke could only direct his header into the palms of Harker.

Just shy of the hour mark there was golden opportunities for both sides, Chester’s fell to Peers who was denied by the impressive Harker and then in matter of seconds Stockton countered but Glen Butterworth miscued his header.

As the game drew on and legs grew wearier the game progressively got more stretched and the hosts found a goal in sumptuous fashion.

Stephen Thompson delicately volleyed the ball over Harrison from 30 yards out to send the home fans into raptures.

The Seals had several chances to level the score line including Caton heading over from close range, but they had to wait to the dying embers to restore parity.

Weeks once again provided a dangerous cross which was met by the head of the experienced Rawlinson to save his side from prematurely exiting the prestigious competition.

We will now welcome Stockton to CH1 on Tuesday night in a third qualifying round replay.

Match Report by Jude Deedigan

CHESTER: Harrison, Roberts, Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Weeks, Glendon (Turner 71′), Willoughby (Murray 93), Caton, Peers

Subs not used: Brown, Hunter, Hancox, Rosenblatt, 

Scorers: Rawlinson 90′

Attendance: 804