Match Report: Chester 1-1 Needham Market

A resolute defensive showing from Needham Market frustrated the Seals at the Deva Stadium.

Inside the opening two minutes, Jack Lambert produced a great touch to pluck a long kick by Jimmy Storer from out of the sky before being fouled on the edge of the box.

From the resulting set-piece, Declan Weeks delivered a searching cross towards the head of the skipper Connell Rawlinson. The veteran directed it goalward and goalkeeper Marcus Garnham came to collect the ball. However, the Marketmen’s stopper was beaten to it by Taelor O’Kane. The AFC Fylde loanee poked it into the back of net to send the Harry McNally Terrace into immediate raptures. A perfect way to mark his home debut at the Deva Stadium.

After a Teddy Collis header sailed over the crossbar, the hosts had a glorious opportunity to double the deficit. The returning Dan Mooney audaciously dummied Nathan Woodthorpe’s pass – which saw Tom Peers pick up possession. However, the striker was put under pressure by Tommy Smith and he sent an effort just wide of the post.

The chances continued to flow down CH1. For the Blues, close-range shots from Lambert and Weeks was parried behind by Garnham while Collis’ lofted effort was smothered by Jimmy Storer.

Collis was clearly the danger man and he was the player to restore parity for the visitors. A corner fell to the forward and after his first shot was saved by Storer, the 20-year-old made no mistake with the rebound.

The woodwork then saved Needham Market from falling behind twice in quick succession. Jordan Hunter’s sumptuous shot curled onto the post and Connor Woods couldn’t readjust in time. The subsequent rebound clipped the crossbar with the goal begging.

Garnham proved to be a formidable force in between the sticks and before the half had ended he had thwarted Peers from close quarters again.

The referee Shaun Taylor blew his whistle to end a breathless first half with the scores perfectly poised for the second period.

Garnham’s inspired form showed no signs of slowing down after the interval. He was Peers’ nemesis once again just shy of the hour mark as he spread himself smartly to tip another shot around the post.

Seth Chambers had Needham Market’s biggest change of the second period but he couldn’t capitalise on acres of space to head in from a corner.

The game petered out and the winning goal proved elusive for both sides.

Calum McIntyre and his players remain top of the National League North heading into a crucial away trip to Chorley next weekend.

Match Report by Jude Deedigan 

CHESTER FC: Storer, Hunter, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, O’Kane, Weeks, Lambert (Daly 57′), Woods, Mooney (Turner 57′), Peers

Subs not used: Roberts, Leak, Willoughby

Scorers: O’Kane 4′, Collis 21′

Attendance: 2478