Below par Clarets defeated

Chris Anderson - scored the first goal

The slight frost had all melted away under the bright sunshine as we kicked off, employing a 4-4-2 formation. Injuries were still depriving us of Rob Turner and Jon Sergeant and a limping Ben Hoskin was also sidelined, meaning that Dean Stott could reclaim his right back berth. We had a big lad up front on trial alongside Wes Fletcher and last weeks goalscorer Alex MacDonald had to settle for a place on the bench as we shuffled the pack.

We could have had an early goal as Chris Anderson just failed to connect with a left wing cross and the bright start gave the impression that we could have a good game to follow. Unfortunately it proved to be a bit of a false dawn. We proceeded to put on a disjointed display with a dithering defence and somewhat toothless forward play. Chester were on top for long periods as we struggled to create chances.

We almost came to life on around 25 minutes as a moment of brilliance by Adam Kay set Fletcher clean through but his shot just rolled past the wrong side of the post. Chester broke instantly and Dean MacDonald made a great 1-on-1 save. However, the resulting corner was forced home at the far post and we were one down.

Within 10 minutes it was 2-0 as Thomas Bradley headed a cross back towards goal only to see the keeper out of position. MacDonald sprung to his right but could only tip it onto the inside of the post and into the net. The goal, coupled with the ensuing recriminations, woke us up and within 5 minutes we were level.

First Anderson rolled the ball into an unguarded net after a quick break and then Fletcher, played in with another 1-on-1, made no mistake this time and beat the keeper with style. The comeback was dashed on the stroke of half time though as a Chester centre half hit a howitzer of a free kick into the top corner from 20 yards.

With a five goal first half we expected more of the same in the second. Unfortunately we were wrong. The half started scrappily with a booking for Kay as he charged down a free kick taker a little too vigorously. The half followed the same pattern as much of the first as we struggled and Chester played around us. They were quicker all over the park and our defence continued to creak and wobble. With fifteen to go Pash finally made some changes, Bringing on Alex MacDonald and James Craggs, allowing Alex-Ray Harvey to slot back into the middle of the field.

We picked up slightly but it didn't last and we drifted back into the rut we seemed to have found ourselves in. Chester deserved a 4^th goal after some delightful skill from the left winger saw the inside of the post struck. The game trundled on until the final whistle put our lads out of their misery, having had a thoroughly bad day at the office.

Team :- Dan MacDonald, Dean Stott, Thomas Bradley, Dan Brown, Chris Lynch, Dil Chaggar (Alex MacDonald), Alex-Ray Harvey, Chris Anderson (James Craggs), Adam Kay, Wes Fletcher, A Trialist.Subs not used :- Stef Ritchie, Matt Lomas, Nik Kudiersky