REPORT | Chester 4-0 Kettering Town

Chester put in an excellent display to beat Kettering and secure back to back victories for the first time this season.

After debutant Matt Sargent opened the scoring with just eighty-seven seconds on the clock, as the Blues set themselves up for a superb afternoon in the glorious sunshine.

Declan Weeks added a second before Matty Waters provided the assist for Marcus Dackers to add a third just after the hour mark. Waters then turned scorer as his wonderful free kick capped a positive afternoon for the hosts.

The Blues made three changes from the side that picked up their second away win of the season last weekend at Blyth as George Glendon, Rob Apter and Waters made way for Sargent, Harrison Burke and Rowan Roache.

It was the perfect start for the hosts as they found themselves ahead after just two minutes.

Darren Stephenson showed some strong running initially, before a smart turn and cutback broke to Dackers, who laid it off for Sargent to place home beautifully beyond Jackson Smith in the Kettering goal.

Kettering almost found equaliser just as quickly as the ball broke to Decarrey Sheriff inside the Chester penalty area, but he lost his footing and scuffed his shot.

Despite the Poppies enjoying more of the ball since the goal it was the Blues who almost found a second as more impressive running from Stephenson saw him break from deep inside his own half before searching for a ball to Sargent, but it just had too much on it and ran through to Smith.

With chances at a premium Chester almost conjured something outstanding as Roache’s outside of the boot pass played in Stephenson, before he returned the favour with a lovely flick back to Roache but the latter’s cross couldn’t find a blue shirt and ended up being deflected wide.

Both sides managed to create half-chances before the break as Sargent tested Smith from range and Rhys Sharpe found space inside the penalty area before firing over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half time the visitors almost found an equaliser as Callum Stead turned a long throw goalwards but Louis Gray’s quick reactions were enough to ensure the Blues held the lead at half time.

Much like in the first half, Chester made the perfect start to the second half as well as  Weeks’ dipping effort crept under the dive of Smith and into the back of the net.

The Blues kept the pressure on and added a third shortly after the hour as Waters’ inch-perfect delivery picked out Dackers who headed home from close range.

Five minutes later and the Blues had a fourth as Waters turned from provider to goalscorer. Stood over a free kick twenty-five yards out, the 24-year-old struck it superbly straight into the top corner.

Kettering came close to pulling one back as Jack Smith went close to mimicking Waters’ strike, his free kick beat the Blues’ wall but rebounded off the post before Liam Daly fired over the crossbar.

Chester continued to press in search of another as Weeks struck from range but Smith pushed the ball away.

The Blues did have the ball in the back of the net for a fifth, however it was ruled out. Waters’ set piece was again spot on and Dackers turned the ball into the goal before referee Simeon Lucas ruled it out – but in the end it was a superb afternoon for Chester.

CHESTER: Gray, Roberts (Waters 49), Livesey (Griffiths 76), Williams (Grand 59), Fitzpatrick, Weeks, Sargent, Burke, Stephenson, Dackers, Roache.

SUBS NOT USED: Stanway, Simmonds.

SCORERS: Sargent 2, Weeks 48, Dackers 63, Waters 68.

ATTENDANCE: 1,796.