Chester won 1-0 at Whickham. The game was played in driving wind and a swirling wind which made football difficult for both sides. The first chance fell to Whickham after 21 minutes when the ball was played across the Chester goal but a defender managed to deflect the ball for a corner. With Chester having the wind mainly behind them, they were unable to make any impression on the Whickham defence with the ball generally running away from the forwards. After 39 minutes, Craig Price drove a free kick towards goal which Whickham keeper Scott Cresswell did well to tip on the top of the bar and over. Whickham had the better of the second half but found similar problems as Chester did in the first half. After 66 minutes, Scott Wilson fired in a shot from 25 yards which Josh Carmichael tipped over the bar at full stretch. Chester's only opportunity in the second half came on 86 minutes when Robbie Bird cut in from the right but screwed his shot well wide of the target. Whickham made a quick counter-attack with Craig Rook racing down the left and cut inside but fired wide from a good position. Chester won the game in the third minute of stoppage time with what proved to be the last kick of the game. Craig Price hit a free kick deep into the area. The ball was not cleared and fell to Nathan Fisher who produced a clinical finish. I must admit that nobody in the ground fancied extra-time. Whickham could consider themselves unlucky to go out as they did as there was not much between the sides.
Team: Josh Carmichael, Chris Hunter, Robert Palmer, Damian Maw, Andy Armstrong, Ian Dixon, Kyle Bird (Robert Bird, 82 mins), Craig Price, Nathan Fisher, Rob Draper, Ben Johnson. Subs Not Used : Colin Wake, Luke Gilhespy, Nicholas Kane, Ian Aitken.
Crowd: 67
Referee: Mr. J. Traynor, Craghead
Assistants: Mr. J.R. Harrison, Newton Aycliffe & Mr. K. Thompson, Shildon