Report: Rushall Olympic 1-2 Chester
Chester moved up to second in the National League North after a dominant 2-1 victory on the road at Rushall Olympic, courtesy of a Nathan Cameron own goal and a seventh of the season for Charlie Caton.
Connell Rawlinson kicked off the contest with two chances in the first ten minutes but neither troubled Paul White in the Rushall goal.
The Blues made a fast start in the West Midlands and another opportunity came after quarter of an hour, when Kurt Willoughby twisted and turned before he fired an inviting cross into the area that missed the heads of both Tom Peers and Charlie Caton who were bearing down on goal.
Kevin Roberts continued the Seals’ headed efforts just before the half hour mark as he rose brilliantly at the back post before firing towards the top corner only for White to acrobatically stop the Blues from taking the lead.
Rushall’s task became increasingly difficult in the 30th minute when Dempsey Arlott-John raised his hand into Harrison Burke’s face while already on a yellow card, leaving referee Rob Claussen with an easy decision to send the winger off and reduce Adam Stevens’ side to ten men.
On the stroke of half-time the Pics were handed a golden opportunity out of nowhere when Jack Bainbridge tripped Terrell Pennent just inside the area, giving Luke Benbow the chance to open the scoring from 12 yards.
The number 19 smashed the ball past Elyh Harrison, giving the hosts the lead at the break.
Tom Peers had two opportunities shortly after the interval from close-range but neither were met by a clean connection and Chester continued to trail.
The intense pressure finally paid off just after the hour mark when a brilliant cross by Nathan Woodthorpe was deflected into his own net by Pics captain Nathan Cameron.
One became two for the Blues just five minutes later as Charlie Caton bagged his seventh goal of the season from close-range after a Weeks corner was headed back into the six-yard box by Burke before it fell to the Seals’ number 10 who bundled it home.
The corner was set up by a mazy run from Caton that ended up in a deflected strike that bounced behind off the post.
Strikers Gerry McDonagh and Liam McAlinden were brought on by Stevens to try and salvage a point for hosts but they failed to make an impact.
The final 20 minutes saw very little in terms of goalmouth action and the contest was controlled well by the Blues, who took all three points in deserved fashion.
Next up is an FA Cup tie in the North East against Stockton Town before a return to CH1 when we host Farsley Celtic.
Match Report by Tom Bird.
CHESTER: Harrison, Roberts, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Murray (Turner 46′), Weeks, Caton, Willoughby, Peers.
SUBS NOT USED: Hancox, Hunter, Glendon, Rosenblatt
SCORERS: Cameron (OG) 64′, Caton 69′