Chester le Street Town recorded a comfortable 5-1 win over Alnwick Town.
Chester made a great start and took the lead in the 2nd minute when Alex White played a corner from the right towards the near post and Michael Hepplewhite found space to fire home. Alnwick equalised after 11 minutes when they made a quick break and Daniel Thompson crossed for Stephen Young to score. Chester came close to regaining the lead after 13 minutes when David Surrey played the ball in from the left to Daniel McGuire. His shot came back off the post and although Andrew Clarkson tapped the ball in he was flagged up as offside. Two minutes later, Jack Wilson launched a long kick deep into the Alnwick half and Clarkson flicked a header onto to McGuire but his shot drifted just wide of the post. Alnwick came close to taking the lead after 26 minutes when a long ball went over the Chester defence and with Connor Lyon trying to shield it back to Wilson. But as Wilson tried to kick the ball clear, it rebounded off Thompson and was heading for the goal until Lyon got back to clear off the line. After 32 minutes, Darren Riddell made ground down the right and cross to Thompson in the middle but he put his header straight to Wilson from the edge of the six-yard box. After 41 minutes, the ball was played into the Alnwick area for Clarkson to head back to Hepplewhite but his shot was deflected onto the post and away for a corner. The following minute, Clarkson saw his shot curl away and hit the post. Chester regained the lead in the 44th minute when Christopher Stephenson played a good pass down the right to McGuire and he hit a great cross into the middle for Clarkson to turn in. In stoppage time, keeper Robert Hodgson was penalised for bringing down Clarkson and Hepplewhite converted the penalty. Chester extended their lead after 48 minutes, when Alex White made a good run along the edge of the area and he turned to fire in. After 52 minutes, a through ball found Christopher Laidlaw and although he looked to be offside he was allowed to continue and fire in a low shot which Wilson turned for a corner. After 63 minutes. Thompson raced down the left, cut into the box and fired in a good shot which went just over the bar. Chester completed the scoring after 64 minutes when a good move down the left saw the ball being slipped through to Lee Mole and he fired in from a narrow angle. A good performance although the final scoreline could have been much closer.
Team: Jack Wilson, Christopher Stephenson, David Surrey, Craig Marron (Alexander Walker, 68 mins), Connor Lyon (Calum Greaves, 76 mins), Kevin Dixon, Daniel McGuire, Arron Thompson, Michael Hepplewhite, ANdrew Clarkson (Lee Mole, 55 mins), Alex Whitye. Subs Not Used : Michael Graver.
Attendance : 82
Match Officials : Mr. Paul Burt, Sherburn Mr. Adam Trenholme, Shotton Colliery & Mr. Richard Rowe, Peterlee
