Radcliffe recorded their second away defeat of the week as Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men suffered a 2-0 defeat on the road, and despite not scoring at the Deva Stadium since February, Chester wasted no time in finding the back of the net.

It took only a minute for the hosts to open the scoring after Nathan Woodthorpe delivered an inch-perfect cross straight to the feet of Declan Weeks, who smashed a half-volley past Mateusz Hewelt at the back post.

For the next 20 minutes, both sides would struggle to conjure up any chances of note, although the Seals would dominate possession leaving Radcliffe to chase the ball for a large portion of the first half.

Chester looked comfortable in their lead and extended it on the half-hour mark, giving the Boro a hill to climb only a third of the way into the evening. Jordan Hunter’s lofted cross from the right was headed home by Charlie Caton, who rose highest to guide the ball into the back of the net.

Moments later, two former Seals linked up down the left as both Anthony Dudley and Jude Oyibo exchanged passes before the former floated the ball into a promising area, however Jamie Morgan, another former Chester player, was unable to direct his effort on target.

At the interval, our two managers elected to make a duo of changes, as Brad Jackson and Jude Oyibo were replaced by Scott Duxbury and Tom Walker in an attempt to shuffle the pack and bring new energy.

Just after the 50-minute mark, Radcliffe enjoyed another half chance after a headed clearance from Chester sat up beautifully for Jordan Hulme, however he was unable to keep his effort down as it was blazed inches over.

Chester responded swiftly and promptly as the next big chance fell the way of the hosts. The ball was worked out well to the right flank where Charlie Caton charged down the Radcliffe goal, however he ultimately dragged his effort wide of the goal from a glorious position.

Moments after entering the pitch, Oldham Athletic loanee Kurt Willoughby had a chance to further extend Chester’s lead after the ball dropped in the left side of the penalty area, he could only fire straight at the outstretched glove of Hewelt from a narrow angle.

As Radcliffe continued to search for a way back into the game, it left them susceptible to the counter attack as Chester broke with numbers on numerous occasions. Most notably, a three-on-one break was halted brilliantly by Scott Duxbury, who got back with a last man tackle to deny the attack, eventually bouncing into the grateful gloves of Hewelt.

Eventually, Chester would bow out as 2-0 victors leaving Radcliffe with very little to take away from the game, going into Saturday’s return to the Neuven Stadium as we take on fellow National League newcomers, Needham Market.