MATCH REPORT | Guiseley 0-1 Chester
Chester made it back to back wins to start the new decade with a first win at Nethermoor since reformation.
James Jones nodded home the winner in a solid defensive display less than 24 hours after Managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley signed new deals with the club.
The unchanged Yellows made a bright start in Yorkshire – as Anthony Dudley had a shot blocked and Jones sent a warning sign when he glanced wide from Matty Waters’ corner.
Nevertheless, that combination wasn’t to be denied on 11 minutes. Academy graduates combined, as Waters’ peach of a ball into the box from the right was nodded home in the six yard box by Jones for his second of the campaign.
It was a scrappy affair but Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side were certainly having the better of it. Guiseley did start to conjure up a couple of half chances though – Gabriel Johnson found space on the edge after neat interchange but Simon Grand made a strong block.
As Waters and Brad Jackson were denied by comfortable saves from Marcus Dewhurst, just before the interval Chester went ever so close to a second. Waters again the creator with an inswinging corner and this time Grand nodded it against the crossbar.
The second half started without incident in a scrappy encounter, but it was Chester who had the next chance.
Jackson pounced on a loose pass high up the pitch and Gary Stopforth took charge of the ball – squaring across the box for Dudley and his low sliding effort was kicked away by Dewhurst.
Dudley was busy in the attacking third – curling over after that before having a shot blocked inside the area. Then Jackson’s deflected low drive went inches wide of the post after a superb pass from Gary Roberts.
Guiseley sub Scott Smith fired wide with ten to go, before heroic blocks from Kev and Gary Roberts – particularly the formers in stoppage time – were outstanding and dedication to the cause to make it successive clean sheets.
CHESTER FC: Griffiths, K Roberts, Jones, Grand, Waters, Jackson, Stopforth, G Roberts, Dudley (Taylor 84), Hughes (Glendon 84), Asante (Waring 61).
SUBS NOT USED: Ngwatala, Elliott.
SCORER: Jones 11.
ATTENDANCE: 1,029 (260 away).