REPORT | Chester 3-0 Fleetwood Town

Chester picked up an EFL scalp at the Deva Stadium this afternoon, winning comfortably against League One side Fleetwood Town.

Anthony Dudley gave the Blues a half time lead, before strikes from James Hardy and Jude Oyibo capped off an excellent display.

The Cod Army, who selected a young side following their Friday night friendly win over Leeds United, were behind to the Blues early on.

It was a classy move, as Dudley played a delightful one-two with Hardy before firing a low shot across Billy Crellin and into the bottom corner.

Chester dominated in possession and in territory in the opening stages, but couldn’t add to the lead. At the other end, Cian Hayes fired over and Chris Conn-Clarke had a shot well blocked by Dan Cowan in an opening 45 lacking opportunities.

But the Seals found their rhythm and improved in the second half to win by a three-goal margin.

Ten minutes after the interval Dudley returned the favour to Hardy – teeing up the number seven to score in front of the Harry Mac after hard work initially in the build up from John Johnston.

Two nearly became three moments later as Matty Williams’ diving header from Hardy’s corner was just wide.

At the other end, Conn-Clarke saw a dipping effort just land on the roof of the net, and Louis Gray had to be alert to make a low save from Barry Baggley on 69 minutes.

Nevertheless, the icing on the cake came courtesy of Jude Oyibo. The substitute showed tremendous skill and composure inside the box to cut on to his left peg before firing into the bottom corner of the goal.

Gray preserved his clean sheet with a smart stop at his near post from Baggley late on, but not before Oyibo almost turned provider as his cutback was put wide by Lloyd Marsh-Hughes.

CHESTER: Gray, Morgan (Sloane 76), Livesey (Burke 85), Williams, Cowan, Glendon (Lowe 85), Weeks (Clarke 85), Hardy (Clark 70), Johnston (Oyibo 59), Dudley (Marsh-Hughes 76), Stephenson (Waring 59).

SCORERS: Dudley 6, Hardy 55, Oyibo 72.

ATTENDANCE: 422.