REPORT | Chester FC Women 8-3 Alder FC Women

Chester FC Women produced a stunning second half performance to defeat Alder in their first league game for a month.

Emma Gray bagged a hat-trick, as did in-form Molly Wood, who got a treble of her own following on from last weekend’s four goal haul.

Just like seven days ago it was the Blues’ opponents who struck first, as Alder took the lead on 13 minutes when the unfortunate Kelly Hollis headed into her own net from a corner.

But Martin Fitzsimons’ side were level by the break, with the equaliser coming on the half hour mark. The start of a memorable afternoon for Gray saw the forward nod home from Ash Bullock’s cross.

After half time, the floodgates opened in incredible fashion as Chester put the game out of sight with four goals in just eight minutes.

The first came on 50 as Gray made it a brace, curling home from the edge of the box, before Wood scored a quickfire double in the space of three minutes, taking her goals in typically clinical fashion.

Then Gray completed her hat-trick on 58 minutes, Wood turning provider for the forward to seal a personal treble.

Alder pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, but the Seals restored their four goal advantage three minutes after this as Gray bagged an assist for Rach Lloyd to score.

The 10th placed visitors fired in an impressive effort on 74 minutes to make it 6-3, but two goals in the final five minutes of the encounter would add some gloss to the scoreline.

Wood provided for Imogen Paul to bag the seventh on 87 minutes, before Molly Wood got her hat-trick goal in the final minute of the match.

A thumping win which moves the Blues back up to fifth, and still with games in hand on those above them.

CHESTER: Foster, Adderley, Sands (Quigg 76), Priest, Dowell, Bullock, Lloyd (Paul 76), Locke (Gill 79), Bradley, Wood, Gray (Harding 69).

SCORERS: Gray 30 & 50 & 58, Wood 52 & 55 & 90, Lloyd 67, Paul 87.

Photos: Alison Greenwood.