Chester let slip a two goal lead to lose 4-2 at Ryton. Chester took the lead after 5 minutes when a free kick from Craig Price was only headed out to Luke Gilhespy who fired back into the net from 25 yards. After 8 minutes, Nathan Fisher won the ball on the left to make ground down the wing, slip the ball inside to Ben Johnson who passed it on to Craig Price but he fired wide into the side netting. After 11 minutes, a Ryton corner from the right was headed on to Alex Benjamin but Josh Carmichael made a good save from his shot. Chester doubled their lead after 22 minutes when Rod Draper powered in a header from another Craig Price free kick. Ryton nearly pulled a goal back on the half-hour mark when a corner from the right was hit to the far side for Alex Benjamin to retrieve return back into the middle. Josh Carmichael did not make a good contact with his punch and it fell to Kevin Dixon, but he managed to save the follow-up shot with his foot. Ryton did pull a goal back after 33 minutes with a controversial penalty. Luke Gilhespy was penalised for a hand-ball. He had his hands by his side when the ball was fired at him from close range and now ay could it be considered deliberate. Alex Benjamin fired in from the penalty spot. The goal lifted Ryton and within four minutes they drew level. Richard Logan beat Rob Palmer on the right and cut inside to fire in a shot which Josh Carmichael could only parry into the path of Steven Aiston and he tapped in. Ryton continued to press forwards and after 41 minutes a quick break saw the ball reach Benjamin on the edge of the area and he turned well to fire in a shot which crashed off the corner of post and bar. Ryton went in front just before the break when Richard Logan broke down the right and cut inside to fire home. Ryton increased their advantage after 48 minutes when Logan again broke clear down the right and ran on to slip the ball past Carmichael. Ryton had another good chance to increase their advantage after 59 minutes but Dale Burrell saw his shot kept out by the post. Chester had a couple of chances to save something from the game. After 66 minutes a good passing move saw the ball played to Rob Draper in a good position but he lifted his shot well over the bar. Chester were awarded a penalty after 83 minutes but Craig Price saw keeper Lennie French turn his penalty on to the post and the rebound was cleared. Very disappointing to lose a game from the position we had.
Team: Josh Carmichael, Chris Hunter, Robert Palmer (Kyle Bird, 70 mins), Luke Gilhespy, Andy Armstrong, Ian Dixon, Robert Bird (John Murray, 60 mins), Craig Price, Nathan Fisher, Rob Draper, Ben Johnson. Subs Not Used : Colin Wake, Ian Aitken.
Crowd: 61
Referee: Mr. C.H.H. Backhouse, Brampton
Assistants: Mr. C. Keightley, Middlesbrough & Mr. S. Sugden