THE MATCH

A Kane Richards strike and a Tom Shaw penalty secured Chester FC a comfortable success at home to struggling Guiseley.

The Blues started brightly but the wet conditions led to both sides lacking composure on the ball and the clash became a dour and scrappy affair for large periods.

Chester, however, broke the deadlock on 50 minutes when Oluwaseun Akintunde raced onto a through ball, cutting back to Richards who fired home from 10 yards.

It was 2-0 eight minutes later when Johnny Hunt broke into the box before Javan Vidal scythed him down and referee Simon Barrow pointed to the spot.

Shaw stepped up and duly dispatched the spot kick.

Guiseley finished the game with nine men after Luke Porritt went off with a head injury with the visitors having used all their available substitutes and then Hatfield was shown a second yellow card for a horrible tackle on Craig Mahon.

Tom Shaw fires home from the spot

ANALYSIS

It wasn't vintage stuff but it didn't need to be.

Chester overcame a dull first-half performance to secure all three points against the struggling Lions after coming to life for spells in the second period.

Richards and Akintunde looked bright, especially in the second half, while Mahon looked like he was back to his old self, running at defenders and working hard for the cause.

A second clean sheet gives Chester a real platform on which to build.

STAR MAN

Sam Hughes: Given a chance to start at the heart of defence owing to an injury to Blaine Hudson, Hughes won everything and never put a foot wrong.

His display was one of maturity and showcased just why he is so highly regarded by the Blues fans.

MATCH FILE

Chester FC: Worsnop, Vassell, Astles, Hughes, Hunt, Shaw, Lloyd, Mahon (Waters 90), Durrell (Chapell 73), Richards, Akintunde (Joyce 86). Subs: Roberts, Horwood.

Bookings: Vassell

Goals: Richards 50, Shaw 58 (pen)

Guiseley: Maxted, Vidal, Lawlor (Walton 56), Hatfield, Boyes, Palmer, Clee, Preston (Rankine 67), Purver, Atkinson, Webb-Foster (Porritt 56). Subs: Atkinson, Williams.

Bookings: Hatfield, Purver, Rankine

Red card: Hatfield

Referee: Simon Barrow

Attendance: 1,578