Report: South Shields 4-0 Chester FC
A disappointing afternoon at the 1st Cloud Arena saw Calum McIntyre’s side defeated by South Shields.
The hosts started on the front foot and pushed the Seals back into their own half early on.
Dan Ward was a major threat down the right for the Mariners with his pace and power, but he blazed his first effort well over the top.
Left-back Daniel Dodds was the unlikely source for the opening goal which came in fortunate circumstances for the hosts.
The number 29 smashed the ball into the back of Connell Rawlinson who inadvertently diverted the strike past Andrew Wogan and into the vacant space in the bottom corner.
Calum McIntyre’s side couldn’t test Jasper Sheik before the break and the Mariners went into the interval a goal to the good.
The second period started in disastrous fashion for the Seals as Paul Blackett grabbed a brace in just two minutes.
His first came courtesy of a composed finish from the penalty spot, after the referee judged Kev Roberts to have handled the ball inside the 18-yard box.
Blackett got his second and the Mariners’ third in the 51st minute with a drilled finish into the bottom corner that gave Wogan absolutely no chance.
Dylan Mottley-Henry tested the goalkeeper on two occasions mid-way through the second period.
The first was an acrobatic effort that landed in Sheik’s hands before a drilled effort that forced the shot-stopper to block the shot with his legs.
Cain Sykes compounded the scoreline with a well-taken strike in the 78th minute, as the right-back found space in behind the Chester defence and struck a powerful effort that beat Wogan and nestled in the back of the net.
The Blues will have to go again on Bank Holiday Monday with a home contest against Oxford City.
CHESTER FC: Wogan, K. Roberts, Leak, Rawlinson, J. Jones (S. Burgess 65′), Woodthorpe, Shrimpton, Weeks, Woods, F. Roberts (Rosenblatt 65′), P. Jones (Mottley-Henry 65′).
Subs not used: Barlow, Kelly-Evans, Murray.
Scorers: Dodds 34′, Blackett 49′ 51′, Sykes 78′.
Attendance: 2,146