Chester FC open pre-season campaign with win at Whitchurch Alport

Chester FC opened their pre-season schedule with a 2-0 win at Whitchurch Alport thanks to goals from Sam Turner and Zack Clarke.

Manager Calum McIntyre used the game to give his squad a run out, looking at four trialists and making ten changes at half time with keeper Wyll Stanway the only player to remain.

So, a useful workout although one area of concern was the sight of midfielder George Glendon having to go off mid-way through the second half after picking up a knock.

New signing Joe Lynch featured in the first-half side - and the midfielder almost made a spectacular start when he cut in from the left and sent a right-footed effort just over from 25 yards.

Stanway was called into action to parry Jordan Evans’ fierce strike from the left of the area but the visitors were back on the front foot when first half captain Declan Weeks sliced through the midfield and slid the ball through to Kole Hall whose low shot was blocked by keeper Ash Rawlins at his near post.

Chester came closer when Iwan Murray’ s outswinging corner was met by Harrison Burke but his powerful header was touched over by Rawlins.

Murray had a shot blocked in the area and Turner hit the side netting from around 16 yards as Chester pressed for an opener but Whitchurch threatened when Alex Hughes headed just over after Stanway had parried an initial shot.

Weeks fired wide after Hall had played him into the right of the area but Chester took the lead on 45 minutes when Hall charged down Rawlins' clearance then was first to the rebound and played the ball to Turner who lifted it first time over the backpedalling keeper from around 30 yards.

Chester could have doubled their lead within a minute of the restart but Trialist D slid the ball against the