Chester have made their worst-ever start to a season after losing 3-2 at Spennymoor - their fifth successive defeat. Spennymoor took the lead after only 3 minutes when Gareth Waite was allowed to run in twelve yards to head in from a corner. Chester played some neat football and equalised after 11 minutes when a ball down the right sent Josh Home-Jackson free. He hit an early ball into the middle for Nathan Fisher to slide home just inside the post. Spennymoor had a lot of possession and after 24 minutes the ball went to Gavin Cogdon, who turned well on the edge of the area to fire in a shot which brought a good save from Josh Carmichael. Chester made a break after 39 minutes and the ball was moved forward to Craig Price but his long-range effort was easily saved by keeper Andrew Spence. After 40 minutes Anthony Peacock dribbled his way along the right by-line into the six yard area but his attempted low cross-cum-shot was blocked. Spennymoor nearly regained the lead on 43 minutes when they played a quick free kick to Gavin Cogdon who played it inside for Karl Richards to crash the ball against the crossbar. Spennymoor did regain the lead on the stroke of half-time when a long ball was sent over the defence and Michael Rae raced through. Josh Carmichael started to race out, hesitated and it allowed Rae the opportunity to slide the ball home. Spennymoor doubled their lead after 47 minutes when Joss Carmichael failed to hold a free kick and Anthony Peacock tapped in the loose ball. Two minutes later, a corner was only cleared to the edge of the area to Keith Graydon but his shot was saved by Carmichael. Spennymoor was pressing very hard for another goal and came close after 69 minutes. A corner from the left found John Toft but his shot was blocked for another corner. From this corner, Michael Rae saw another good effort blocked and cleared. Chester started to get themselves back into the game and played some good passing football. After 74 minutes, a quick break saw the ball moved forward and Nicholas Kane passed to Rob Draper on the edge of the area but he curled his shot well wide of the target. Three minutes another good move gave Craig price an opening but his shot was easily saved. After 79 minutes Rob Draper got into another good position on the edge of the area but his shot brought a good save from Spence who turned the ball around the post at full-stretch. After 84 minutes, Nathan Fished curled in a corner but Nicholas Kane saw his header go just over the bar. Chester did pull a goal back after 89 minutes when Nathan Fished chased a long ball through the middle. Spence rushed out but fluffed his attempted clearance and Nathan was able to fire into an empty net. Another defeat but a much-improved performance.
Team: Josh Carmichael, Luke Gilhespy (Kyle Bird, 78 mins), Damian Maw, Michael Allan (Nicholas Kane, 67 mins), Andy Armstrong, Ian Dixon, Josh Home-Jackson, Craig Price, Nathan Fisher, Rob Draper, Robert Palmer. Subs Not Used : Colin Wake, James Ellis, Robert Bird.
Crowd: 160
Referee: Mr. K. Raine, Silksworth
Assistants: Mr. M. Bunting, Stanley & Mr. I. Lowther, Stanley