MATCH REPORT | Chester 4-0 Buxton

Chester rounded off their regular National League North campaign with a convincing win over Play-Off chasing Buxton.

Anthony Dudley and Elliott Whitehouse’s first half goals put the Seals in command, before Charlie Caton and Kelly Nmai made sure in the second 45 – as the Blues end with 84 points from 46 matches ahead of next Sunday’s Semi-Final.

Manager Calum McIntyre made five changes from the victory at Kettering Town; as Kieran Coates, Matty Williams, Lewis Earl, Declan Weeks and Dudley all returned to the starting XI.

Jamie Morgan, Iwan Murray and Kole Hall missed out – with Liam Edwards and Joe Lynch moving to the bench – as top scorer Kurt Willoughby also returned to the squad following injury.

The Blues got off to a bright start and almost took the lead inside five minutes. Defensive misjudgement saw Caton nip on to a loose ball ahead of Bucks ‘keeper Theo Richardson, but his effort off balance was tame and Josh Granite was back to clear off the line.

Weeks was the next to try his luck, a low curling free kick found the target however the reflexes of Richardson saw the ball pushed away.

Nevertheless, Chester’s positivity was rewarded on 20 minutes. A clipped ball into the box saw a series of ariel duels, before the quick thinking Dudley looped his header over Richardson and into the net.

Whitehouse went in search of the second a few minutes later, but dragged his effort off target from range.

The Scunthorpe United loanee wasn’t to be denied for much longer though. Neat play saw Dudley find Coates – his cutback was turned on to the foot of the post by Caton – before Whitehouse was on hand to convert his third goal for the Seals.

Chester almost secured the win just a few minutes after the break. Weeks did brilliantly to trick his way into the area and square for Caton, but his effort was deflected inches wide of the post.

Caton again almost made it three when a loose ball broke to him at the back post, but his powerful effort was brilliantly turned off the line by a Bucks defender.

Buxton were pressing to keep their season alive but the Seals were a persistent threat on the counter. Nmai drove forward and set up sub Willoughby on the counter who was denied by Richardson on the hour.

The ‘keeper was having a strong game, then denying Caton, before getting down to make a one handed stop to save from Weeks moments later.

However he could do nothing on 74 minutes but stand and watch Caton smash home the third, converting from a pinpoint Weeks pass.

And there was even time for a fourth goal in a fantastic performance – as Salford loanee Nmai converted after pinball inside the box in front of a jubilant Harry Mac.

CHESTER: Tyrer, Coates, Williams (Burke 65), Kenyon, Brown, Earl, Weeks (Stephenson 79), Whitehouse, Nmai, Dudley (Willoughby 52), Caton.

SUBS NOT USED: Lynch, Edwards.

SCORERS: Dudley 20, Whitehouse 28, Caton 74, Nmai 81.

ATTENDANCE: 3,528 (411 away).