Match Report: Scarborough Athletic 2-4 Chester
The Seals triumphed for the fifth successive league game with a captivating 4-2 victory away to Scarborough Athletic.
It was frenetic contest in North Yorkshire with Calum McIntyre’s side showing resilience to end on the positive side of the six-goal thriller against the Seadogs.
It was an imposing start from the hosts and they commenced the contest with three corners in quick succession. Boro skipper Will Thornton headed over from close-range before the defender attempted an acrobatic effort that didn’t trouble Jimmy Storer.
Jonathan Greening’s outfit continued to pose a threat as the half drew on. Jack Waldron beat the offside trap to break clear, but Storer spread himself well to deny him from an acute angle.
Just shy of the half hour mark, Scarborough broke the deadlock. Neat interchange on the left-hand flank between Harry Green and Alex Brown saw the latter have the opportunity to cross into the middle. The delivery caused issues for the Seals and the ball fell to Dom Tear who made no mistake with his half-volleyed effort.
Tear was Chester’s nemesis once again after scoring in the reverse fixture at the Deva Stadium and in the FA Cup tie earlier at the Scarborough Sports Village in October.
The Seals almost restored parity immediately but Tom Peers miscued his strike from eight yards out.
Harry Green was causing real problems for Calum McIntyre’s side and almost doubled the hosts’ advantage two minutes later. The winger cut inside and tried to catch Storer out at the near post with a disguised shot, but the teenage stopper got down well to gather.
On the stroke of half-time, the Blues would level matters through another debutant.
After Dan Mooney netted on Tuesday night, Fin Roberts, who signed on the same day, ruthlessly equalised on his first start for the club.
Declan Weeks played an incisive pass that was out of the reach of Kieran Weledji and sent Roberts clear.
The 18-year-old took the ball into his stride before firing a unstoppable finish across Whitley and into the bottom corner.
Chester commenced the second half with a renewed spirit after Roberts equalised just before the interval.
The Seals notched themselves in front moments after the hour mark with Scarborough captain Will Thornton inadvertently diverting into his own net.
Fin Roberts was the architect as more positive play saw him fire a cross into the six yard box. Weledji couldn’t clear his lines and the ball inexplicably hit Thornton and travelled past Whitley.
However, Chester’s jubilation was short lived as Tear grabbed his second of the afternoon minutes later. Green got to the byline before drilling a ball across the face of goal to find Tear who tapped into the untended net.
The melodrama continued to unfold in North Yorkshire as the Blues were awared a penalty with a quarter of an hour remaining.
Weeks pounced on a loose ball inside the box before being tripped by Thornton and referee Ben Tomlinson pointed to the spot.
Fin Roberts stepped up take the penalty but Whitley guessed correctly and saved the kick after diving to his left hand side. However, after showing adept alertness to win the penalty Weeks reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
The Blues nullified the opposition offence in the dying embers of the intriguing clash as they retreated deep inside their half.
Second half substitute Dan Mooney capped off a phenomenal week as he dispatched Chester’s fourth with aplomb.
The Englishman picked up the possession on the edge of the box before unleashing an unstoppable effort that arrowed into the top corner.
Another three points takes the Seals top of the league after Kidderminster Harriers dropped points away to Oxford City.
Match Report by Jude Deedigan
CHESTER FC: Storer, K. Roberts, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Weeks, Bainbridge, Murray (Pollock 90+1′), Woods (Mooney 77′), F. Roberts (Willoughby 86′), Peers.
Subs not used: Daly, Burgess
Scorers: Tear 27′ & 66′, F. Roberts 45′, Thornton (o.g) 63′, Weeks 77′, Mooney 90+5′
Attendance: 1569 (189 away)