Match Report: Leamington 1-4 Chester

A fantastic away display from the Seals took all three points in Warwickshire as we blew away Leamington with four first-half goals.

Charlie Caton, Tom Peers, Kurt Willoughby and Harrison Burke all netted before the break, before Will Shorrock grabbed a consolation late on for the Brakes.

The Blues had an early opportunity through Iwan Murray who found space just outside the Leamington area but his half-volley flew over the bar.

Just a few minutes later though, Charlie Caton pulled himself level at the top of the National League North scoring charts with a close-range finish.

Declan Weeks got the better of the home defence at the byline before he dragged the ball back to give Caton a simple finish just a couple of yards out.

The lead was doubled shortly after by Tom Peers, as the Seals made their fast start count in Warwickshire.

Jack Bainbridge struck a powerful effort towards goal from outside the box which goalkeeper Callum Hawkins was equal to, but his save landed on the head of Peers who nodded it into the corner.

Weeks pulled the strings in the Chester midfield throughout the first half and his cross almost led to a third for the Blues when the ball was deflected towards goal but Hawkins managed to claw it away to safety.

Calum McIntyre’s men were running riot at The Co-Op Community Stadium and Kurt Willoughby netted the Seals’ third when he raced through and finished well past Hawkins.

A bizarre incident saw the hosts’ situation go from bad to worse as Dan Meredith was shown a red card out of nowhere just before the break.

Harrison Burke completed the first-half rout in additional time when he connected with a dangerous Weeks corner from close-range to volley home.

A brilliant first-half performance on the road, and one which left the final result in no doubt.

Willoughby went within inches of a fifth in the 55th minute when he struck a powerful free-kick from 25-yards out that dipped on to the post and bounced back towards safety.

Just moments later, Peers also saw an excellent strike hit the wood work after he hit an outrageous effort with the outside of his foot before Willoughby’s rebound attempt was caught by Hawkins.

The Brakes grabbed a consolation with ten minutes left as Will Shorrock finished well with a low, drilled effort that just rolled past the outstretched hand of Jimmy Storer in the Chester goal.

It was a memorable night for Calum McIntyre’s side who made it three wins in succession on the road, before a return to CH1 on Saturday when we host Alfreton Town.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

CHESTER FC: Storer, Roberts (Wadsworth 46′), Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Bainbridge (Glendon 75′), Murray, Caton (Woods 68′), Willoughby, Peers (92′).

Subs not used: Mottley-Henry.

Scorers: Caton 7′, Peers 10′, Willoughby 34′, Burke 45+3′.

Attendance: 432