Chester 2-0 Tamworth

Chester extended their unbeaten run to five games after a comprehensive 2-0 victory against second place Tamworth at the Leap76 stadium.

A home crowd of 1,861 watched on as the two best defences in the National League North came up against each other.

After an evenly contested opening ten minutes it was the home side who struck first in unbelievable fashion.

Full back Harrison Burke swung the ball in from the right and it popped up invitingly for Elliot Whitehouse who did not hesitate.

The midfielder met the ball sweetly to volley past Tamworth ‘keeper Jasbir Singh who could only stand and watch as the ball flew past him and into the right-hand side of his net.

The visitors almost responded instantly when forward Kyle Finn narrowly missed from four yards out.

And just after the quarter of an hour mark Tamworth’s Tom Tonks nearly restored parity when he hit the base of the post with a beautifully curled effort.

Chances were few and far between for both sides for the remainder of the first half, with the weather conditions, in particularly the wind, effecting proceedings and preventing both sides from building any momentum.

In the second half the home side imposed themselves as they doubled their lead just past the hour mark with a simple move. ‘Route One’ football at it’s finest.

Goalkeeper Wyll Stanway launched the ball up the field and home debutant and second half substitute Owen Windsor raced onto the loose ball. He beat the Tamworth ‘keeper to the ball, delicately slipped it past him and tapped the ball into the empty net.

The visitors failed to respond and tensions boiled over in the 81st minute following a poor challenge from Tamworth’s Cullinane-Liburd. Only a yellow for the defender but perhaps a sign of the away side’s frustration.

It was an accomplished defensive display from Chester as they comfortably saw out the remainder of the game and reduced the league’s second place side to minimal chances.

A fully deserved victory for Chester, yet another three points and another clean sheet for Calum McIntyre’s side.

The Seals climb up into fourth and are now only nine points off the top with a game in hand on league leaders Scunthorpe.

Match Report by Jude Deedigan.

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Chester: Stanway, Burke, Edwards (Coates 15), Williams, Taylor, Roberts, Whitehouse, Weeks, Glendon, Norton (Windsor 57), Caton.

Subs Not Used: Sparrow, Daly, Murray.

Scorers: Whitehouse 11, Windsor 64.

Attendance: 1,861.