MATCH REPORT | Bangor 1876 edged out at the Deva

The match started at breath-taking pace, and the hosts broke the deadlock after only three minutes when Matty Waters’ ball into the area caught everyone off guard as it flew into the back of the net off the far post.

However, if anyone feared the floodgates would open following that goal they would have been mistaken, as Bangor 1876 began to find their footing in the game, enjoying increased possession.

An equaliser duly arrived in the 21st minute, as Les Davies’ left-footed shot from distance beat goalkeeper Russ Griffiths to make it 1-1, and to give the local legend a goal on his debut.

The hosts weren’t done though, and they were back in front just four minutes later, when Matty Hughes found space behind the back four, before volleying past Leon Jones from a tight angle. It was a blow, but Bangor continued to see plenty of the ball as the first half drew to a frustrating close.

The second half was a very even affair, as both sides began making substitutions to bring on fresh legs on a balmy evening. Bangor had numerous half chances, but struggled to create clear cut opportunities, instead being forced to rely on set-pieces.

Goalscoring chances were at a premium after the break but Chester's Akwasi Asante and Matty Waters both struck the woodwork in quick succession just after the hour mark.

In the 75th minute, Jamie Petrie’s curling free kick evaded everyone in the area, before a long-range free kick from Lukas Baltovic almost caught out Griffiths in the Chester goal, but the ball just ended up the wrong side of the crossbar.

As the full-time whistle went, both sides enjoyed a rapturous reception, as those in attendance gave them a standing ovation as they left the pitch.

Match Report: Ben Leggatt

FULL TIME: CHESTER FC 2 (Waters 3', Hughes 27') CPD BANGOR 1876 FC 1 (Davies 21')
TEAMS
Chester FC: 1 Russ Griffiths (GK), 2 James Jones, 3 Matty Waters, 4 Will Harrison, 5 Harrison Burke, 6 George Macready, 7 Bradley Jackson, 8 Tom Ruffer, 9 Akwasi Asante, 10 Iwan Murray, 11 Matty Hughes (C).
Subs: 12 Will Goodwin, 13 Theo Roberts, 14 Regan Rubin, 16 Jake Hampson, 17 Danny Edwards, 18 Zac Hall.
CPD Bangor 1876 FC: 1 Leon Jones (GK), 2 Jamie Thomas, 3 Shaun Lock, 4 Trialist, 5 Michael Johnston (C), 6 Cian Williams, 7 Cameron Barry, 8 Luke Steele, 9 Les Davies, 10 Dylan Summers-Jones, 11 Jamie Petrie.
Subs: 12 Benn Lundstram, 14 Lukas Baltovic, 15 Trialist, 16 Trialist, 18 Trialist (GK).
Referee: Tom Swift.
Assistants: Tomos Roberts, Kyle Lines.