Moors got their 2024/25 campaign off to the perfect start as they put Chester to the sword to collect their tenth consecutive win at The Brewery Field.
Isaac Fletcher’s clinical double and a spectacular free-kick from Matty Dolan ensured a memorable opening day for Graeme Lee’s men in the County Durham sunshine.
Lee handed competitive debuts to Olly Dyson, Dan Rowe and Ben Beals as they welcomed a Chester side who many have tipped for National League North success.
However, the visitors were on the back foot from the first whistle and Fletcher could have opened the scoring with a powerful drive which was pawed away by Blues keeper Cam Mason.
Fletcher wasn’t to be denied though. With just six minutes gone, Corey McKeown escaped into all kinds of space down the right and his low ball across eventually found its way to Fletcher’s feet and his shot deflected up and over Mason for 1-0.
Brad James had to go full-length to his left to keep out a curler from Kurt Willoughby, but Moors came close twice through Glen Taylor who nodded a corner just wide then nudged Fletcher’s centre over the bar.
The second goal did arrive early in the second half though and it was Fletcher on target again. McKeown once again found acres on the right and his inviting low ball was turned home on the slide by the in-form midfielder for 2-0.
There followed a truly extraordinary goalmouth scramble which left the Chester players scratching their heads at how they had now pulled one back. The visitors managed to hit both posts and draw a pair of astonishing saves from James in a melee which Moors somehow survived.
It proved critical because on 75 minutes it was 3-0. Taylor was fouled 30 yards from goal and Dolan stepped up to send a sumptuous set-piece over the wall and right into the top corner of Mason’s goal.
It was a perfect goal to add gloss to a wonderful opening day as Moors started the season with a statement win on home soil in front of a bumper crowd.
Full Time: Moors 3 Chester 0
Moors: James, Dyson, Rowe (Ledger 30), Beals, Staunton, Ross, Dolan, McKeown (Harris 90), Ramshaw, Fletcher, Taylor (Hooper 82).
Subs not used: Johnson, Howard.
Chester: Mason, Hunter, Rawlinson, Pollock, Burke, Bainbridge, Murray (Turner 55), Glendon (Williams 65), Hancox, Willoughby (Peers 55), Caton.
Subs not used: Woodthorpe, Roberts.
Referee: Declan Brown
Attendance: 1,528
