Match Report: Oxford City 0-0 Chester

Calum McIntyre and his players had to settle for a point on the road after a goalless draw with Oxford City.

The first period was a tedious spectacle and bereft of any real quality from either side. Teenager Jayden Carbon recorded the first shot on target, but Jimmy Storer was able to comfortably gather the effort.

The flow was disrupted by a plethora of stoppages caused by fouls and disagreements on the pitch.

Tom Peers had the Seals’ most presentable chance which he couldn’t convert past Laurie Walker. The striker showed great desire and endeavour to dispossess Canice Carroll on the edge of the box, but our top goal scorer had to rush his attempt.

Tempers boiled over just shy of the half hour mark between Iwan Murray and Aaron Drewe. The latter pushed the midfielder to the ground and both were penalised with a booking.

The hosts failed to convert a gilt-edged opportunity to break the deadlock just after the half hour mark. Carbon raced clear of the attention of Harrison Burke and Connell Rawlinson and with only Jimmy Storer to beat, the 19-year-old inexplicably rolled the ball wide of the target. His body language told the full story as his head went into his hands.

After the interval, the game followed an almost identical pattern with no moments to savour.

Peers had one of the only attempts of the half after being picked out by Declan Weeks but the angle was too tight to divert the ball goalward.

Proceedings devolved into a wrestle rather than a football game. Several full-blooded challenges forced referee Tolu Sangowawa into action and the resulting free-kicks came to no avail.

Taelor O’Kane almost marked his first start for the club with the winner. The imposing midfielder connected with a Weeks delivery , but the effort flashed wide.

It was another resolute defensive display from the Seals with Storer recording his seventh clean sheet in his twelfth game for the club.

Ultimately, Calum McIntyre’s outfit enter the weekend’s visit of Needham Market off the back of a hard-fought point.

CHESTER FC: Storer, Roberts, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, O’Kane, Weeks, Murray (Daly 82′), Woods, Willoughby (Lambert 70′), Peers.

Subs not used: Hunter, Leak, Turner

Scorers: N/A

Attendance: 588