Chester FC first-team coach Jon McCarthy has praised Sam Hughes for the impression the teenager has made during pre-season.

Hughes has featured in the games with Oldham Athletic, Rochdale and Trafford, where his pass created Tom Shaw's goal as the Blues ran out 1-0 winners on Saturday.

Eye-catching performances for the club's youth team over the past couple of seasons led to Hughes being invited to train with the senior squad and he has not looked out of place.

Following the game at Shawe View, McCarthy confirmed the Wirral native was forcing himself into the thoughts of manager Steve Burr.

McCarthy said: "He's come back extremely fit after being out with an injury for a while. Physically he's in probably the best shape of his life and he's impressing the lads in training.

"He's impressing us but you can just tell when he's in around the other players how they respect him and want to give him the ball and when he does something like that in a game where he comes on and picks the right pass and you've got to start thinking about is this someone we can afford to let go or do we try and keep him on.

"He's put himself in that position where we're getting to the point where the manager has to make some decisions and he's very much in our thoughts. I've been very impressed with him as a footballer and as a man. He's a credit to his family."

IN PICTURES: Action from Chester FC's 1-0 win at Trafford

Following narrow defeats to League One clubs Oldham Athletic and Rochdale, Shaw's goal on 68 minutes secured a first pre-season win for the Blues at Trafford.

Chester dominated large parts of the game but spurned a number of good chances with Tom Peers going close on a couple of occasions and Ross Hannah having a penalty saved.

Next up is a trip to Hednesford Town on Tuesday (7.45pm) before going to Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday (3pm).

McCarthy said: "There were some chances missed that we would want to finish but we got our first goal, we got a win and we were able to play 21 players and have a look at them.

"Trafford have entertained us well, put on a great surface and their lads have played the game in the right manner.

"We got everything from it that we wanted and a great goal as well. The goal was really pleasing with the movement and the way Ross Hannah comes in and it gets laid off, Sam picks it up and our other midfielder Tom Shaw's going into the box and it's a great finish.

"We've played two teams from a higher opposition where we shouldn't have as much of the ball in terms of possession but we were resilient and really difficult to beat. Oldham we weren't as good but Rochdale we created more chances and looked more of a threat.

"We've got two games now against teams from the Conference North and realistically it's games that we want to win but it will be more of what we'll expect in the Conferenc.

"Dare I say it, touch wood, we're okay with injuries and everything's going just how we wanted it to."

Meanwhile, the club has confirmed football secretary Calvin Hughes has resigned his position with immediate effect. Hughes, who has been with the club since 2010, has stepped down from his role as head of the youth academy too.

A statement from the club said: "The board of directors would like to record its thanks to Calvin for his tremendous work over the last five seasons and would like to wish him all the best for his future."