Academy Report: Chester U19 0-1 Maidstone United U19

Maidstone United U19’s clinched the National League Academy Cup with a narrow victory over the Blues at St Georges Park.

In front of a sold out crowd and a fantastic travelling Chester contingent, the match started in lively fashion and the Stones went ahead as a cross from the left deflected into the net unfortunately off Henry Briscoe.

Chester almost equalised mid way through the half as Ryan Atkinson burst on to a ball over the top and went beyond the committed Maidstone ‘keeper, but a defender was back to brilliantly clear off the line.

Maidstone then had a couple of good opportunities to extend their advantage but were denied by excellent saves from Billy Davies.

Just before the interval it was almost level as a Mikey Lawson cutback found the run of Dan Kennedy, who saw his sweeping effort superbly stopped by the Maidstone goalkeeper.

The Blues continued to push in the second half, as sub Isaac Bush was again denied by the Stones goalkeeper, before Briscoe headed just wide from a corner late on.

Maidstone held firm to win the cup, but the Seals did the club proud with an excellent run in the competition.

CHESTER: B Davies, Lawson, Jamieson, Briscoe, Ireland, Muirhead, Kennedy, Murphy, Corbett, Atkinson, Rosenblatt.

SUBS: Brown, Deakin, P Davies, Lawrence, Bush.

SCORER: Own Goal 7’.

PICTURE: Rick Matthews.