Report: Radcliffe 1-3 Chester

Chester deservedly picked up all three points on the road at the Neuven Stadium!

Goals from Pat Jones, Tom Peers, and Connor Woods brought success for the Blues, who missed out on a clean sheet courtesy of Michael Afuye’s fantastic effort mid-way through the opening period.

The Blues led after just six minutes thanks to a well-directed volley from P. Jones.

Dion Kelly-Evans’ floated cross was headed into the path of Jones by Lois Maynard, before our number 18 rifled an effort into the bottom corner, leaving Mateusz Hewelt with no chance in the Boro net.

Peers extended Chester’s fast start and doubled the lead just seven minutes later when he fired in from just outside the box.

A long ball from George Murray-Jones fell to Peers, who finished with composure as his drilled effort struck the inside of the post and nestled in the back of the net.

Afuye was a constant threat down the right flank throughout the opening period, and he made his mark on the contest with a stunning long-range strike that flew past an outstretched Murray-Jones in the Chester net.

Radcliffe pushed for a leveller before the break with numerous set-piece opportunities, but found a stubborn Seals back line in their path.

Lewis Leigh smashed the first effort of the second period over the top from long-range on the 50-minute mark, before the pressure paid off just moments later as the two-goal advantage was restored.

P. Jones drove past home defenders and laid a pass off to Woods, whose drilled strike towards goal was deflected past Hewelt into the net in front of a jubilant away end.

It was almost four just before the hour-mark, as Dion Kelly-Evans went close to his first goal in a Chester shirt with a long-range strike that drifted just wide.

Afuye went closest for the hosts after the interval, when his looped corner missed everyone inside the box but collided with the far post and was cleared to safety.

The scoreline remained at 3-1 for the remainder of the contest, despite chances for both outfits, with Radcliffe’s best falling to ex-Chester man Anthony Dudley, whose close-range effort was blocked by Tom Leak.

Two opportunities arrived for Dylan Mottley-Henry late on, but he miscued after a low P. Jones cross, before Hewelt denied his powerful header in stoppage time.

It ended as a well-deserved success for Calum McIntyre’s men, who are on the road again on Saturday with a trip to King’s Lynn Town.

Chester FC: Murray-Jones, Shrimpton, Leak, Carson, Kelly-Evans, Woods (J. Jones 81′), Leigh (Weeks 69′), Bainbridge, P. Jones (Murray 81′), Peers, Mottley-Henry.  

Subs not used:  Davies, Zanzala, Shorrock, F. Roberts

Scorers: P. Jones 6′, Peers 13′, Woods 51′.  

Attendance: 1,004