FA CUP REPORT | Chester 2-0 Pontefract Collieries

Chester made it four unbeaten as they saw off Pontefract Collieries in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round today.

A second half Kurt Willougby brace was enough to see the Blues advance to the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round.

Blues boss Calum McIntyre made three changes from the side that secured a one-nil victory over Southport on Tuesday evening, as Kevin Roberts, Ollie Heywood and Anthony Dudley came into the side, replacing Iwan Murray, Darren Stephenson and Lewis Coulton.

Chester started the game brightly with Harry McHugh forcing an early corner, McHugh then went over to take it and picked out Kole Hall but his shot on the turn was well blocked.

Pontefract looked dangerous in attack and broke through as Harry Spratt burst beyond the Blues’ defence but he was squeezed wide and his shot from the angle was into the side netting.

Twenty minutes gone and Chester had two big chances to take the lead as first Heywood’s effort was denied then Dudley on the follow-up saw his shot blocked.

Pontefract forward Joe Lumsden was next to go close as he met a cross and headed goalwards but Harry Tyrer made a fantastic save diving away to his left to push the ball away.

After that both teams struggled to create chances and the scores remained level at half time.

Pontefract came out brightly for the start of the second half and forced an early corner as James Baxendale’s volley was deflected behind but Chester were able to see out the danger.

It was the Blues who took the lead though just after the hour through some lovely play, moving the ball from right to left before Stephenson found Heywood on the overlap and he cut it back for Willoughby to turn the ball home.

Willoughby was at the double with fifteen minutes to play as his quick free kick was lofted over the wall and into the unguarded net.

Chester should have added a third shortly after as Kole Hall broke the offside trap and was one on one with Lloyd Allinson in the Pontefract goal, but the visiting ‘keeper made a huge save to keep his sides hopes alive.

With the two goal lead Chester were managing the game well as Hall cut the ball back to Matty Williams but his effort was just wide of the post. In the end it was enough to safely see Chester through to the Third Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

CHESTER: Tyrer, Coates, Burke, Kenyon, Heywood, Roberts (Williams 72), Devine, McHugh, Hall, Willoughby, Dudley (Stephenson 53).

SUBS NOT USED: Stanway, Morgan, Coulton, Murray, Daly.

SCORERS: Chester: Willoughby 63 & 76.

ATTENDANCE: 1,502.