CSC Report: Chester FC 3-1 Alsager Town

Chester progressed to the Cheshire Senior Cup Second Round with a 3-1 victory over Alsager Town at the Deva Stadium.

Luka Salvatore had the Blues’ first chance of the contest but his flicked header bounced wide after a low cross.

Captain Connell Rawlinson opened the scoring just before the half-hour mark with a powerful effort from inside the box that sailed into the top corner.

Salvatore was a major threat in forward areas and almost doubled the lead as he span inside the box and sent an effort narrowly over the top.

The Bullets came into the contest towards the end of the first period and went close on a pair of occasions, firstly through Alfie Carmichael whose strike was blocked behind for a corner after Tom Jackson’s inviting ball.

Max Boswell went close for the visitors in stoppage time as his low shot hit the outside of the post and bounced away to safety.

Isaac Burgess cut inside from right wing-back for the first opportunity after the interval but his well-struck effort rose over the top.

The lead was doubled just 11 minutes into the second period as Salvatore, who had looked dangerous all night, slotted a low finish that gave Ollie Culkin no chance in the Alsager goal.

The number nine almost bagged his brace with an audacious lob that beat Culkin but bounced onto the roof of the net.

Alsager halved the deficit through a fantastic finish from Luke Nicholls who smashed his effort above George Barlow and into the top corner.

The Blues regained complete control through Zach Abbott in the 83rd minute who latched onto a low cross and netted from close-range with a diving header to seal progression into the Second Round.

Chester FC: G. Barlow, J. Ireland, F. Arthur, C. Rawlinson (C) (Bush), H. Deakin, I. Burgess (K. Power), L. Corbett, L. Salvatore, C. Murphy, D. Kennedy (J. Belski), Z. Abbott.

Substitutes not used: B. Davies, A. Dixon.

Scorers: Rawlinson 28′, Salvatore 56′, Nicholls 74′, Abbott 83′.

Attendance: 178