Report: Chester 1-0 Stockton Town

    Chester progressed to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup courtesy of a tight 1-0 victory over Stockton Town, after a late goal from Harrison Burke.

    Calum McIntyre’s men had to play for almost the entirety of the match with 10 men, after Connell Rawlinson’s early dismissal.

    Burke confirmed the Seals’ qualification, and the lads will travel to Scarborough Athletic on September 12, looking for a path to the First Round.

    It was the worst possible start for the Blues at the Deva, as Rawlinson was handed his marching orders by referee Jonathan Chadwick in the third minute after the centre-back pulled Michael Roberts down as he ran towards goal.

    Kev Roberts was brought on after 22 minutes for Tom Peers, as the Seals rearranged after the early red.

    Declan Weeks had the first clear-cut opportunity for Chester, but his half-volleyed effort flew over the top after he linked up well with George Glendon in midfield.

    Kurt Willoughby tested Nathan Harker with five minutes of the first half to play, but the goal-keeper acrobatically palmed away Willoughby’s curling free-kick.

    The visitors almost came back into the game when Roberts flashed the ball across the goal line but Burke was in the perfect position to clear to safety.

    Willoughby had a golden chance to grab the crucial opener down CH1 but his effort smashed back off the near post.

    The number nine touched the ball past Cameron Painter and slotted a low shot past Harker, only to see the ball strike the woodwork.

    The stalemate didn’t last for much longer though, and Burke popped up at the back post to knock an effort past the keeper from a dangerous Weeks corner. 

    A huge moment that sent the Deva into raptures.

    Jordan Hunter had the chance to get his first Chester goal and double the Blues’ lead late on but his drilled strike flew wide from an acute angle.

    The final moments saw Stockton push for a late equaliser but no clear-cut chances followed, and the Blues held out for a well-deserved victory after playing with 10 men for almost the entire contest.

    Match Report by Tom Bird.

    CHESTER: Harrison, Hunter, Rawlinson, Burke, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Weeks, Glendon, Willoughby (Hancox 85′), Caton (Turner 67′), Peers (Roberts 22′).

    Subs not used: Brown, Murray, Rosenblatt, 

    Scorers: Burke 71′

    Attendance: 1,397