Report: Hereford 5-2 Chester

The Blues fell to defeat in Worcestershire against Hereford at Sixways Stadium.

Chester made a fast start and led after just five minutes when Fin Shrimpton capitalised on a loose ball inside the home box, before calmly slotting past Theo Richardson into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted 12 minutes before Hereford took advantage of the end-to-end nature of the contest to equalise, as a long ball eventually found its way to Justin Donawa who was left with a simple finish.

Michael Kelly went close just moments later with a powerful free-kick that crept over the crossbar, before Keziah Martin struck narrowly wide on the mid-way point of the opening period.

The Bulls took the lead just after the half-hour mark courtesy of Cormac Daly, as he tapped in from close-range after a low cross from George Munday.

The home side’s advantage initially lasted for five minutes, as Chester were handed a golden opportunity when Kyle Howkins brought down Dylan Mottley-Henry inside the 18-yard box, leaving the referee with a simple decision.

Connor Woods made no mistake from the spot, sending Richardson the wrong way to level the scoreline.

Hereford bounced back just three minutes later through Keziah Martin, who sent a close-range finish past Bobby Jones after an inviting cross from Daly.

Pat Jones almost equalised 10 minutes after the restart as his effort slid across the six-yard box before the ball fell to Tom Leak whose effort rose over the top from inside the area.

Mottley-Henry also had an opportunity with the deficit at one goal, but after cutting inside dangerously his low strike was gathered comfortably by Richardson.

The Bulls added a fourth in 15 minutes left on the clock, as Daly earned his second of the night with a rebound effort after his initial strike was blocked by B. Jones.

George Munday made it five late on with a composed finish past the ‘keeper after he was played into a promising position by substitute Lawson D’Ath.

The Blues are back at the Deva Stadium on Saturday for the visit of Spennymoor Town.

Chester FC: B. Jones, K. Roberts (Woodthorpe 46′), Leak, Croker, Kelly, Shrimpton, Murray (Leigh 61′), Weeks, P. Jones, Woods, Mottley-Henry

Sub not used: Davies, I. Burgess, White, F. Roberts

Scorers: Shrimpton 5′, Donawa 17′, Daly 31′ 75′, Woods 36′, Martin 39′, Munday 80′