Chester 1st XI vs North Staffs (Friendly)

In the second friendly of the season, following a trip the previous week to Didsbury, the pre-season preparations began in earnest. Recently premoted North Staffs, promoted into the equivalent league as Chester, for the midlands provided a good opportunity for returning coach Paddy Bingham to give potential squad members a strong opposition to show why they were deserving of a place.

North Staffs got off to a good start with Chester conceding two quick goals, however chester fought back to 2-1 before half-time with a great pass from Sarah Mulligan allowing Nia Hughes to slot the ball through the keepers legs to keep the home team alive and kicking.

At the start of the second half Rhiannon Bowles got beaned, following superbly dispossesing a North Staffs attacker attempting a shot on goal, alas her windmill caught Rhiannon full on the side of the head and caused a substitution. Young Sophie Drew made some superb runs and gave Chester great width with Kristina Roper making some great deep leads and Sarah Mulligan running shuttle runs showing why great fitness is essential in Midfield! Emma Blair led the charge from the left back position putting brilliant river balls down the line with Laura Houlston and Clare O Hara in the middle with Kirsty Sneyd keeping goal.

Alas following a lucky break, North Staffs slotted another home only for Chester to respond to within one goal from level with a brilliant ball by Kate Wozniak into Nia Hughes who once again calmly slotted it home, again through the keepers legs.

The equaliser came not long after by a great team goal starting with a pass from Roz Bingham to Kate Wozniak to Sarah Mulligan to Fran Gibson, who then played a delightful through ball to Nia Hughes who completed the hatrick with a beautifully finished goal dividing the player and the keeper and hitting the bottom corner with a superb strike.