Chester le Street Town turned in their best performance of the season to win 1-0 at second-placed Crook Town and end their eight game unbeaten run. Crook came close to taking the lead after 9 minutes when a mistake by Joseph Blackbourne let in Daniel Kent and he raced into the area to strike a fine shot which brought a great save from Max Coombes. Chester made the breakthrough after 39 minutes when a corner from the left was turned into his own net by Jordan Fielding. After 52 minutes, Michael Hepplewhite received the ball just outside the area and hit a good long-range effort which had keeper Ronan Makepeace scrambling to turn the ball away from the goal. Three minutes later, Alexander Walker flicked on the ball for Michael Hepplewhite to race into the area and he tried to slip the ball past the keeper but Makepeace made a good block with his legs. Crook made a quick break after 59 minutes and a long clearance found Daniel Kent in space but he pulled his shot across goal just wide of the far post. After 64 minutes a mix-up with the defence and Coombes let in Christian Holliday but with the empty goal at his mercy, his shot clipped the outside of the post. Chester created a good chance after 69 minutes when Adam Thirlaway hit a good free kick deep into the Crook area but
Danny Hepplewhite saw his header go just wide of the target. After 71 minutes a Crook corner from the right found Jordan Fielding at the near post but his header rebounded off the post and the danger was cleared. Crook continued to press forwards in search of an equaliser but the Chester defence held firm. After 84 minutes, Kent broke into the box from the left but fired into the side netting from a good position. Two minutes later the ball was crossed over to the left to Holliday but he also fired wide from a good position. Nice to turn in a great battling performance and get back to winning ways after four defeats but Crook will wonder how they didn’t get anything from the game.
Team: Maximiliano Coombes, Harrison Scott, Adam Thirlaway, Craig Marron (Luke Collins, 80 mins), Joseph Blackbourne. Danny Hepplewhite, Kier MacDougall, Alexander Walker, James Connor, Michael Hepplewhite, Christopher Stepehnson. Subs Not Used : Alfie Pearn, Owen Henderson, Jack Brown
