Chester turned in their best performance of the season to record a 1-0 win at last season's double winners Newcastle Benfield. Chester had to defend a strong wind I the first half and scoring chances to both sides were limited. After 19 minutes Rob Draper saw his header from a Craig Price corner go just over the bar. After 30 minutes, The ball was played through to Josh Home-Jackson who slipped the ball inside to Nathan Fisher but his shot went straight to the keeper. Benfield had a good opportunity after 32 minutes when Michael Chilton broke through on the right but his shot across goal went wide of the far post. Chester took the lead in first half stoppage time. Nicholas Kane split the Benfield defence as he played the ball through to Josh Home-Jackson and he again slipped the ball between a defenders legs to Nathan Fisher whose pace took him into the area and he slipped the ball past the keeper. Chester nearly increased their lead after 48 minutes when a long clearance caught out the Benfield defence. As the keeper rushed to the edge of the area, Josh Home-Jackson won the ball and passed inside to Nathan Fisher who had a shot onto the empty net. However, a defender managed to block the shot with Craig Price seeing his shot tipped over the bar by the keeper. Benfield came back into the game and after 51 minutes, a good cross from the right saw Michael Chilton get in a firm header which went just over the bar. After 70 minutes, Andy Armstrong climbed well to power in a header from a corner but it went just over the bar. Benfield were unlucky not to equalise after 78 minutes when Josh Carmichael only punched a cross to the edge of the area for Andy Dugdale to hit a first-time volley which crashed against the underside of the bar and the ball was cleared. Chester should have increased their advantage after 80 minutes when a quick break gave them a two-on-one. With Josh Home-Jackson waiting in the middle, Nathan Fisher cut in from the left but saw his shot drift just wide of the far post. Four minutes later, Nathan Fisher again broke through but he again fired wide of the post. Benfield nearly equalised in the last minute when Kevin Leighton lifted the ball towards the far post but Adam Rowntree ran in and fired into the side netting. A great team performance which brought Chester their third consecutive win in the league.
Team: Josh Carmichael, Luke Gilhespy, Damian Maw, Nicholas Kane, Andy Armstrong, Ian Dixon, Josh Home-Jackson (Robert Bird, 89 mins), Craig Price, Nathan Fisher, Rob Draper, Ian Davison. Subs Not Used : Colin Wake, Kyle Bird, James Ellis, John Murray
Crowd: 96
Referee: Mr. G. Liddle, Darlington
Assistants: Mr. M. Ryan, Newton Hall & Mr. S. Watson, Houghton-le-Spring