Chester Men's 4s vs Triton Men's 2s - Saturday 10th December 2011

Lost 2-0

In an even contest Triton were able to take their chances. Despite being the better team in the 1st half Chester weren't able to capitalise and went in 0-0 at half time. In the 2nd half Triton broke the deadlock and despite some chances for Chester, including a shot which hit the crossbar from Paul North, Chester were unable get on the scoreboard.

Macclesfield Men's 2s vs Chester Men's 4s - Saturday 3rd December 2011

Lost 2-1
Scorer – Mike Cooper

Chester made the trip to Macclesfield to close the gap on their opponents who were one place above them in the league. Chester started slowly and conceded the first goal early on. However after that Chester went on to play their best hockey of the season with some sharp passing and movement. The equaliser came as the pressure told, as Mike Cooper was the quickest to react to a loose ball. Chester should have taken the lead before half time but missed their chances. A 2nd goal for Macclesfield saw them take the lead again but Chester kept pressing. Although no equaliser came overall this was a really good team performance and if they continue like this in the 2nd half of the season then they will pick up more points.

Chester Men's 4s vs Deeside Men's 5s - Saturday 26th November 2011

Lost 4-1
Scorer – Mike Mugford

In blustery conditions Chester played host to a very experienced Deesside team. It was a game full of tough tackling and very little space was given to any player on the ball. Chester, as always, worked hard for each other to ensure that Deeside had to work hard to breakdown the Chester defence. Deeside did take the lead midway through the first half and doubled their lead before half time. Chester were able to respond in the second half with a well worked short corner, Mike Mugford tapping the ball in on the post. As the half wore on Chester started to fade and Deeside were able to capitalise with 2 late goals. Next week Chester travel to Macclesfield in the final away game before the Christmas break

Tameside Men's 2s vs Chester Men's 4s - Saturday 12th November 2011

Lost 3-2
Scorer – Craig Hockenhull, Josh Oldfield

It was a youthful Chester side that made the trip to South Manchester in the winter sunshine. In a scrappy opening to the game Tameside started the stronger but as the game wore on Chester worked their way into the game and scored the opening goal with a short corner. It was somewhat fortunate as a mis-hit by Craig Hockenhull fooled the defence and trickled into the net. Joe Laws in goal made some good saves and the defence worked hard to ensure that the lead lasted until the break. Shortly after the re-start Tameside equalised but Chester were ahead shortly after as a cross from the left wing found Josh Oldfield unmarked in the D who hit a first time sht past the keeper to restore Chester's lead. Tameside kept pressing and eventually levelled for a 2nd time. Following a series of short corners, some of which appeared overly harsh, Chester were unable to hold out and Tameside took the lead for the first time in the game. Chester tried their best to respond but were unable to level the game and ended in a 3-2 defeat.

Neston Men's 4s vs Chester Men's 4s - Saturday 12th November 2011

Won 3-2
Scorer – Josh Oldfield, Karl Lee, Mike Mugford

Chester were able to record their first victory in 4 games, as they beat Neston by the odd goal. It was a competitvie match, against 2 sides that were evenly matched. Although Chester were playing some good hockey the final ball was too often not good enough and it was Neston who came closest to breaking the deadlock. The ball was heading for the top of the net until Adam Lawrence scooped it out of the air, on the goal line, and away to safety. Neston did open the scoring in the 2nd half before Chester then scored 3 without reply. A mazy run by Mike Cooper on the left saw him enter the D and managed, against the odds, to roll the ball across the face of the goal for Josh Oldfield to score into an empty net. Karl Lee scored Chester's 2nd with some trickery on the top of the D before hitting the ball past a diving keeper into the bottom right hand corner. Mike Mugford scored the 3rd goal to give Chester a 2 goal cushion. The final 10 minutes saw some backs to the wall defending from Chester with Neston managing to reduce the defecit to 1. Some more good saves by Joe Laws in goal ensured that Chester were able to take the much needed 3 points before their visit to Tameside next weekend.

Alderley Edge Men's 3rd XI vs Men's 4th XI - Saturday 5th November 2011

Lost 6-1
Scorer – Josh Jones

It was a Chester team with just 10 players that made the trip to 3rd placed Alderley Edge in the late afternoon in what would have been a difficult game even with 11. Chester played with just one upfront and packed the midfield and defence, with the aim of trying to get break away goals. The plan didn't work as Alderley played some very quick, one touch hockey and made the most of the one man advantage. There was some great defensive work from Chester, Joe Laws in goal making some fantastic saves to deny the Alderley strikers but eventually the pressure told and by half time it was 5-0. The 2nd half was much better by the Chester team and the work rate, as in the first half, was tremendous, with the midfield trying to make some attacking forays. Craig Hockenhull was unlucky not tp get more than a short corner when brought down in the D by the Alderley keeper, but despite this Chester continued to press. They got onto the scoresheet following a fine team move with Josh Jones supplying the final touch. In the end the game ended in a 6-1 defeat but Chester will not face a more difficult fixture this season and could at least say they drew the 2nd half!! Well done to all the team for the commitment and effort shown.