Chester turned in a far better performance than in recent games but still went down 4-1 at home to Crook Town. Crook took the lead after 10 minutes when a corner from the right found Callum Johnston and he produced a clinical finish into the top corener of the net giving Max Coombes no chance . Chester equalised after 33 minutes when Kevin Dixon received the ball of the left corner of the area and curled a great shot into the far top corner of the net. Chester came close to taking the lead after 39 minutes when a clearance by Crook went to Danny Hepplewhite and he played a quick pass back to Dixon on the edge of the area who made a good turn
to hit a low shot but it went just wide of the far post. Crook regained the lead after 48 minutes when Keir MacDougall was penalised on the edge of the area and Tom Gavin fired the free kick into the top corner of the net. Chester came close to a second equaliser after 72 minutes. A free kick was played into the area and an attempted clearance fell to Alexander Walker and although he fired in a
good low shot keeper, Ryan Makepeace made a good save at the foot of the post. Crook extended their lead after 75 minutes when Coombes failed to gather a shot from Daniel Kent and Dane Eltringham tapped in the loose ball. After 81 minutes a Crook clearance fell to Danny Hepplewhite on the edge of the area but his lifted shot went just over the bar. Two minutes later, the ball was played in to Dixon
on the edge of the six-yard box but his shot brought another good save from Makepeace. Crook completed their victory with a fourth goal after 87 minutes when Christian Holliday was played through and he fired home.
Team : Maximiliano Coombes, Connor Lyon, Adam Thirlaway, Danny Hepplewhite, Alexander Walker, Jak Mitchell (Nathan Wade III, 77 mins), Christopher Stephenson (David Surrey, 73 mins), Keir MacDougall, Michael Hepplewhite, Kevin Dixon, Luke Collins (Niall Fingleton, 66 mins).
Subs Not
Used : Owen Henderson, Calum Greaves.
Attendance : 112
Match Officials Mr. Sam Parnaby, Bishop Auckland
Ms. Lynn Brown, Darlington & Mr. David Hall, Newton Aycliffe.
