Match Report: Buxton 2-4 Chester

A fantastic performance in snowy Derbyshire earned the Seals three points and successive away wins.

Charlie Caton grabbed a brace while Harrison Burke and Jack Bainbridge both netted one to claim a 4-2 victory which moved Calum McIntyre’s side up to sixth in the National League North.

Caton had a couple of opportunities in quick succession early on but True Grant was equal to both in the Buxton net.

Tom Peers then saw a shot deflected over the cross-bar before the hosts went straight up the other end and put their stamp on the contest in the 18th minute.

A well-worked corner from Connor Kirby found Ethan Fitzhugh who struck the ball with power into the bottom corner, and gave debutant Jimmy Storer no chance in between the sticks.

Fitzhugh grabbed the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture at the Deva Stadium, with another powerful finish.

However, the lead lasted only two minutes this time, as Caton drew Chester level from close-range.

The ball was bundled over the line by the number 10 after a goal-mouth scramble inside the six-yard box.

It was an end-to-end contest at the Silverlands, as both side pushed forward, but it was the hosts who re-took the lead just before the half hour mark.

A through ball found Tommy Elliott who managed to find space in behind the Seals’ defence before he was brought down by Storer inside the box.

Niall Smith pointed to the spot and Luke Brennan smashed past the goalkeeper to reinstate Buxton’s advantage.

It was a very entertaining contest in Derbyshire, and Charlie Caton doubled his tally for the afternoon after another penalty was awarded by Smith.

Liam Ravenhill was penalised inside the box when he was judged to have stopped a pass by Bainbridge with his hand.

Caton slotted past Grant to draw the scores level once again.

There was time for one more goal before the interval, as Harrison Burke smashed a volley into the net after a dangerous corner delivered by Declan Weeks was flicked on by Ben Pollock before the ball fell to the number three just a few yards out.

The second half started in the same vein as the first finished, an open contest that saw numerous chances for both teams.

Calum McIntyre’s men continued to dominate and grabbed a fourth goal just before the hour mark. 

It was Bainbridge who finished in excellent fashion past Grant with a low strike before the midfielder jumped into the bank of snow right in front of the ecstatic Chester faithful to celebrate.

The last 30 minutes was played at a slower pace, as Chester controlled the contest in expert fashion and restricted the home side to no clear-cut sights of goal.

Substitutes were brought on to change the game by John McGrath in the Bucks’ dugout but none had the desired impact against a stubborn back line.

Both teams reached a stalemate towards the end of the clash and neither keeper had much work to do in the final few moments.

An important victory has moved the Seals up to sixth ahead of a trip to Leamington on Tuesday night.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

CHESTER FC: Storer, Hunter, Burke, Pollock, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Bainbridge, Roberts, Daly (Mottley-Henry 57′), Caton (Wadsworth 87′), Peers.

Subs not used: Rawlinson, Glendon, Willoughby.

Scorers: Caton 20′ 39′, Burke 41′, Bainbridge 58′.

Attendance: 1,012