Match Report: Farsley Celtic 0-1 Chester

A first-half strike from Tom Peers was enough to claim all three points on the road in Derbyshire.

It was a stubborn performance from the hosts that was unlocked by Declan Weeks who twisted and turned past several Farsley midfielders before Nathan Woodthorpe assisted Peers who finished from close-range.

The Blues made a fast start at the Silverlands and in typical fashion it was the connection between Weeks and Harrison Burke who almost created the opener as Burke’s header fell to Peers who was just a few yards out but flicked his effort over the bar.

Bubba Krubally had the hosts’ first opportunity when he found space in behind the Seals’ defence but his low strike was denied by the legs of Jimmy Storer.

The mid-way point of the first half saw a flurry of action for Calum McIntyre’s side, as Dan Mooney’s whipped strike forced an acrobatic save from William Brook before Connell Rawlinson’s long-range effort flew just over the top.

It had been a positive display from Farsley but David Stockdale’s side were unlocked in the 26th minute as Peers finished from a few yards out.

Weeks deceived the home midfield and threaded a ball to Woodthorpe before his drilled cross set up a simple finish for our number seven, who added to his brace last time out in the dominant victory over Rushall Olympic.

Kurt Willoughby miscued the final chance before the break when he volleyed over after a well-delivered cross from Jordan Hunter.

Weeks was in fine form for the Blues and he almost doubled the lead just after the hour-mark when he smashed an effort from an acute angle that forced Brook into action.

The Seals continued to push for a two-goal cushion that proved elusive, as Weeks tried again from outside the box only for the ball to fly over the bar.

Willoughby and Mooney then both had opportunities in quick succession, but Brook was equal to the latter’s whipped strike before the number nine’s drilled effort rolled narrowly wide of the post.

The remainder of the contest was very limited in terms of goal-mouth action, as the Blues dominated proceedings but failed to grab that second goal.

Thomas Wilson blew his whistle to the relief of every Chester fan at the Silverlands, on an afternoon when Calum McIntyre’s side consolidated their position at the top of the National League North.

CHESTER FC: Storer, Hunter (O’Kane 66′), Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, K.Roberts, Weeks, Lambert (Murray 66′) Mooney, Willoughby, Peers.

Subs not used: Leak, Daly Rosenblatt.

Scorers: Peers 26′

Attendance: