Report: Chester 0-3 Salford City
Calum McIntyre’s men fell to defeat against EFL League Two side Salford City in our first home test of pre-season.
Goals from Ben Woodburn, Jay Bird in the first half and an own goal from Tom Leak in the second did the damage at Deva Stadium.
The Blues made a promising start on their return to the Deva Stadium after 80 days away, and Connor Woods tested Ellis Craven within the opening ten minutes but his looped volley fell straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Karl Robinson’s side hit back though and had most of the opportunities for the remainder of the first period and first went close through Hadi Mnoga whose curled strike flew narrowly wide of the post.
Former Liverpool man Ben Woodburn ended Lewys Benjamin’s resistance though as he slammed a low free-kick into the bottom corner.
Benjamin was selected immediately by Calum McIntyre after the shot-stopper signed a season-long loan deal with the Blues from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 18-year-old was handed no chance for the second time just three minutes later as Jay Bird doubled the Ammies’ lead with a composed strike into the bottom corner.
The two quick goals came as a shock to Chester after a quiet opening 24 minutes, with the rest of the first period severely lacking in goalmouth action.
Fin Shrimpton had an effort as the interval drew close but his curled effort sailed wide.
The contest continued in the same vein after the break, a quiet affair in which the visitors held a slight advantage both in terms of possession and opportunities.
Woodburn looked dangerous and looked to test Benjamin again but his strike flew over from inside the 18-year-box.
The away side continued to press and experienced striker Cole Stockton powered an effort towards goal and forced Benjamin into a reactive stop.
Salford added a third in unfortunate circumstances as Tom Leak turned into his own net after a dangerous looped cross deceived Benjamin in the Chester goal.
Leak’s unfortunate moment was the last of note in the contest and the gap between the sides remained at three until the referee’s whistle.
We will go again for our fourth pre-season test in midweek away at Colwyn Bay before a trip to Northern Ireland to face Glentoran next weekend.