Chester beat West Auckland 5-3. Chester should have taken the lead after 7 minutes when Rob Draper played a good cross-field pass to Chris Hunter on the right. He Raced forwards to hit a low drive across the goal but Nathan Fisher, waiting at the back post, somehow put the ball over the bar from a couple of yards. After 14 minutes, Chris Hunter had a shot blocked and Andy Armstrong put the rebound wide of the post. Chester broke the deadlock after 16 minutes when a defence-splitting pass found Nathan Fisher on the left and he pulled the ball back for Andy Armstrong to lift the ball over the keeper. Chester continued to press forwards but it was the 35th minute before they could increase their lead. A high ball into the area was spilled by keeper Michael Leighton and it left Nathan Fisher with a simple tap into the empty net. Chester went further ahead after 49 minutes when Robert Palmer hit a great cross into the area for Ben Johnson to control, side-step a defender and fire home. West Pulled a goal back after 51 minutes when Stuart Irvine fired a free kick low, through the wall into the corner of the net. However, Chester quickly re-established their three goal cushion with Nathan Fisher outpacing the defence to slip the ball between the legs of the keeper. West pulled another goal back after 85 minutes when a good, passing move sent Stuart Banks clear and he fired in. West set up a nervous finish for the Chester fans when Stephen Manson turned in a cross at the far post in the last minute but in stoppage time, Nathan Fisher raced through to complete his hat-trick. So, after conceding five goals in two consecutive games, Chester have responded well by scoring five goals in their ;last two games !
Team: Josh Carmichael, Chris Hunter, Robert Palmer, Damian Maw, Andy Armstrong, Ian Dixon, Nicholas Kane (Robert Bird, 76 mins), Craig Price (Luke Gilhespy, 70 mins), Nathan Fisher, Robert Bird, Ben Johnson. Suns Not Used : Colin Wake, James Farrell, Ian Aitken
Crowd: 79
Referee: Mr. W. Broadbent, Sunderland
Assistants: Mr. B. Proctor, Felling & Mr. S. Wilson, Hebburn