Report: Scarborough Athletic 1-0 Chester

Scarborough Athletic claimed all three points in Bridlington thanks to a close-range finish from Kieron Weledji.

The opening pair of chances fell to Chester as both teams got to grip with then heavy conditions at the Mounting Systems Stadium.

Firstly, new signing Zak Emmerson span nicely inside the 18-yard box, before his lay off found Dylan Mottley-Henry whose shot was blocked and cleared, before a cross from our number 11 found the head of Pat Jones but his effort was gathered with ease by Ryan Whitley.

It was a first-half of few opportunities on the East Coast, as George Murray-Jones remained untested for the first 45 minutes.

Emmerson’s Chester FC debut came to a premature end in the latter stages of the half as he was forced off through injury and was replaced by Tom Peers.

Pat Jones hit a speculative effort over the bar late in the half, before Nathan Woodthorpe’s long-range free-kick cleared Whitley but bounced to safety off the home crossbar.

The Seadogs came out with intent after the interval and took the lead through Weledji, as the ball was bundled towards the back post where the full-back was on hand to tap home from close-range.

Dom Tear had a golden chance to make it two soon after, as a well-flighted Lewis Maloney cross found the forward who headed narrowly over the crossbar.

Connor Woods replaced Iwan Murray just before the hour mark and almost made an instant impact with a stunning effort.

A well-delivered corner fell to Woods just outside the box, before he unleashed a powerful effort that stung the palms of Whitley as he made a diving stop to deny an equaliser.

A flurry of chances arrived late on for the Seals but Mottley-Henry failed to find the target from an acute angle with the first, before Declan Weeks’ well-struck effort from 20 yards out was thwarted by Whitley, who impressed in the home goal.

Harry Green had the final major sight of goal, as Murray-Jones produced an excellent, low save to deny the forward from inside the area.

It ended in defeat for the Blues as focus now shifts to a clash with Chorley next week.

Chester FC: Murray-Jones, Kelly-Evans, Leak, Arthur, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Shrimpton, Murray (Woods 58′), Jones (Weeks 79′), Mottley-Henry, Emmerson (Peers 39′).

Subs not used:  Davies, Leigh, I. Burgess, Rawlinson

Scorers: Weledji 48′

Attendance: 772