Ernest Armstrong Cup Final

Chester le Street Town  beat Ryton & Crawcrook 2-0 to lift the Ernest Armstrong Cup for the first time.

Early in the game, Kieran Megran had a shot blocked by a defender to prevent Chester taking the lead. Midway through the first half, Chester keeper Jack Wilson tipped a curling shot from Jamie Dunn onto the bar. Immediately afterwards, Chester launched an attack with Aaron Reynolds bursting down the left before sending over a pin-point cross to Andrew Clarkson and he made no mistake with a clinical finish.

Just before the interval, Tyler Davis moved down the left and cut inside the box but his weak shot was easily collected by Wilson.

After 46 minutes, Christopher Stephenson sent over a cross-cum-shot which keeper Houghton did well to tip onto the bar. From the corner, Alexander Walker could only head into the side netting at the back post.

Ryton were awarded a penalty on the hour mark when Connor Lyon was penalised for a push on Mason Stephenson but Wilson save the spot kick from Callum Turnbull low to his right. Ryton came close to an equaliser when Lewis Shorrock set Martyn Hepple but he rushed his shot and it went over the bar. Chester came close to doubling their lead on 83 minutes when Danny Naylor fired in a shot which Shorrock had to clear off the line.

Chester sealed their victory in stoppage time when Daniel McGuire fired in.