THE MATCH
Not many would have predicted this.
Chester FC demolished a Dover Athletic side who had won four of their last five as the Blues extended their unbeaten run to five games.
Five second half goals from Johnny Hunt, James Alabi, Elliott Durrell, Craig Mahon and Oluwaseun Akintunde secured a tremendous success for Jon McCarthy's side.
The Blues made a one change from the side that drew 0-0 with Wrexham seven days previous with Sam Hughes replacing the injured Blaine Hudson.
The first half proved an even affair as both sides enjoyed spells of dominance without making the breakthrough.
Danger man Ricky Miller and Ross Lafayette both went close for Dover while Kane Richards tested Steven Arnold in the Whites goal while James Alabi came within a whisker of connecting with Richards' pull back from the dead ball line.
But whatever McCarthy said to his side at the break worked as Hunt handed them the lead when he latched on to Richards's weighted pass and put the ball beyond Arnold.
And before fans had barely had finished applauding it was 2-0 when Alabi capitalised on a Dover mistake before advancing and firing past the Whites keeper from 15 yards.
And it was 3-0 11 minutes from time when Durrell was scythed down in the box by Jamie Grimes and the Blues midfielder dusted himself down to fire beyond Arnold from 12 yards.
Dover were all at sea and it was soon 4-0 when substitute Akintunde teed up Mahon 25 yards from goal and the diminutive Irish winger fired an unstoppable effort past Arnold, who got a glove to it.
And the rout was complete when Durrell's cross was headed home by Akintunde to put the gloss on a sublime second half performance.
ANALYSIS
Amazing.
Chester were superb in a second half that provided so many high points and proved what McCarthy has been saying all season – this is a talented bunch.
Why can't Chester make the play-offs? Why?
They brushed aside a Dover side stacked with quality and never took their foot off the gas. They were ruthless.
This is a young side that is learning but look at the steps that have been made. Today was a good day and should be savoured. Next up is a trip to North Ferriby.
STAR MAN
Sam Hughes: It seems strange to give man of the match to a defender in a 5-0 win but Hughes, at 19, was tremendous. He won everything and provided the bedrock for this. Superb.
MATCH FILE
Chester FC: Roberts, Vassell, Hunt, Astles (George 46), Hughes, Shaw (Joyce 74), Lloyd, Mahon, Durrell, Alabi, Richards (Akintunde 75). Subs: Horwood, Chapell.
Goals: Hunt 51, Alabi 52, Durrell (pen) 79, Mahon 84, Akintunde 90+3.
Bookings: Durrell
Dover Athletic: Arnold, Magri, Thomas, Stevenson, Grimes, Sterling, Emmanuel (Jackson 66), Moore (Pinnock 85), Parkinson (Ayo Obileye 70), Lafayette, Miller. Subs: Kinnear, Fazakerley, Jackson.
Goals:
Bookings: Lafayette, Emmanuel, Magri.
Attendance: 1,686.
