For this local derby Chester le Street Town included Jack Brown who returned from a spell at Easington Colliery and Alfie Pearn signed from Ryhope CW and they both contributed towards a 3-1 win giving the Cestrians their first victory in eight games. Chester took the lead after 4 minutes, a free kick was played deep into the Durham area and Joseph Blackbourne pulled the ball back from the left by-line for Niall Fingleton to fire in. Durham came close to an equaliser after 8 minutes when Chester le Street keeper, Maximiliano Coombes lost possession but Anthony Chapman fired wide of the open goal. After 21 minutes, Michael Hepplewhite curled in a corner from the right and Jack Brown saw his firm header turned away for a corner. Hepplewhite curled in the corner which the keeper managed to tip over the bar. The Cestrians doubled their lead after 29 minutes when a long free kick by Harrison Scott was played into the Durham area and was headed into his own net by Peter Henderson. After 37 minutes, Hepplewhite played another corner into the middle and Alexander Walker saw his firm header saved at full stretch by keeper Dean Brooks. From the resultant corner, Walker was then unlucky when he got above all the defenders to head goalward only for the ball to come back off the base of the post. Chester extended their lead after 41 minutes when a quick break sent Hepplewhite racing down the right to cut inside and fire home and go in 3-0 at the interval.
Chester le Street failed to maintain their level of performance in the second half and allowed Durham back into the game and they pulled a goal back after 73 minutes when a corner was played in from the left and it was turned into the net at the far post by Nathan Burrell. After 89 minutes, Durham made quick break down the left and James Armstrong fired in a good shot from the edge of the area but Coombes made a great save. Nice to get back to winning ways but a disappointing second half performance.
Team Maximiliano Coombes, Harrison Scott, Adam Thirlaway, Joseph Blackbourne, Alexander Walker, Daniel Hepplewhite, Alfie Pearn, Christopher Stephenson. Jack Brown (Owen Henderson, 76 mins). Michael Hepplewhite, Niall Fingleton. Subs Not Used : Keir MacDougall. Luke Collins, Craig Marron, Regan Ward.
