Chester 3 Altrincham 0

Words Kian Gonzalez Picture Jonathan Moore

The stage was set for this National League derby at King George V Sports Hub as Chester sought to get back at their visitors after their previous FA Youth Cup loss against the Robins.

The game started quite evenly with both teams defending well and failing to create any clear chances.

As the game went on, Chester looked like posing more of a threat in Alty's defensive third, and it was their right winger who broke the deadlock in the first half after a cross which flashed across the face of goal from the Robins' right-hand side was headed home.

With the Reds desperate to equalise, a number of forced balls from their own half into the attacking third amounted to nothing, and the Robins still trailed going in at half-time.

Altrincham came firing out for the second half after a tactical change saw Bywater replace fellow-centre-half Lecky.

Information given to the players at half-time was proved correct in the second half as the Alty defence worked the ball into the feet of Ireland from the back line.

Advice given to him persuaded him to turn, and he carefully played the ball down the line for Gonzalez to run on to and cross into Shlytian.

A deflected shot then caused the ball to bounce just in front of Gonzalez, whose shot was just put wide.

Alty looked more attacking this half and started to put the pressure on Chester, who defended well and managed to stay in front.

A substitution then was made in the hope of finding the equaliser as Jarrald stepped on to the pitch. Against the run of play a misplaced forward pass from an Altrincham player led to the Chester right-back driving into the open space and sliding the Chester striker in to put them two ahead.

With Beddow keeping Alty alive in the game, the last substitutions were made, looking for that final push, with Watson coming on for Suwareh, Denise for Wood and Howells for Shlytian.

Coming to the last minutes of the game, a reckless Chester had one of their final attacks, which resulted in a foul being given on the edge of the penalty box.

Moments later, a perfectly placed free-kick into the top corner left Alty stunned and reflecting on the need to put things right in their next National League game.

Squad on the day: Max Beddow, Tom Whyte, Lucas Edwards, Kian Gonzalez, Kaiden Powell, Blyth Bywater, Kian Lecky, Jacob Ireland, Remi Raymond, Muhammad Suwareh, Harry Watson, Vladislav Shtyilian, Nathan Wood, Charley Jarrald, Harrison Howells, Afernee Denise.