Report: Macclesfield 0-1 Chester

A quiet contest in East Cheshire was settled in injury time by a fantastic Harrison Burke finish that ended the Blues’ pre-season schedule on a high note.

It was a slow start at the Leasing.com Stadium, with very few clear-cut chances coming at either end.

Both George Glendon and Kurt Willoughby had shots from outside the box blocked by a solid home defence, but neither keeper was tested in the early stages.

Former Chester man Elliott Whitehouse thought he had given the hosts the lead just after the half-hour mark when he slotted a smart, drilled finish under Mason from around 12 yards out.

However, the referee adjudged that there was a foul inside the area and the hosts’ lead was chalked off.

Harrison Burke had our best chance of the half after good link-up play by Tom Peers and Glendon allowed him to find space in behind the opposition, but his well-struck shot was pushed to safety by Max Dearnley.

Burke was involved again for the first chance after the interval as he marauded up the left flank before Willoughby’s cross was met by Peers who hit the target but his shot was comfortably held by Dearnley.

The Silkmen immediately had an attack of their own but Justin Johnson’s strike was palmed away by Mason.

Mason was heavily involved during the period around the hour-mark, saving well from Pemberton and Johnson before Dawson headed wide for the hosts.

John Rooney had the Macclesfield’s best chance of the affair with around 20 minutes remaining when he latched on to the end of a counter-attacking move but Mason stood tall once again and kept the scores level.

The final period of the game went without any goal-mouth action until the 91st minute when Burke whipped a curling effort that flew past Dearnley into the top corner, a fantastic conclusion to our pre-season schedule before the league season gets underway at Spennymoor Town next Saturday.

Match Report by Tom Bird.

Chester: Mason, Roberts (Williams 55′), Pollock, Rawlinson (Weeks 69′), Burke, Bainbridge, Hancox, Murray (Hunter 55′), Glendon, Peers (Caton 55′), Willoughby (Turner 69′).

Scorers: Burke 90+1′