Chester FC eased to a 4-0 win against hosts Sandbach United in their pre-season opener in front of a healthy crowd.

North West Counties League new boys Sandbach were far from disgraced and provided the Blues with a competitive workout, particularly in the second period with a few robust challenges from both sides.

Chester, who were forced into a late change when Jon Worsnop damaged a finger during the warm-up meaning Liam Roberts played the full game in goal, had to be content with a 1-0 lead at the end of the opening 45 minutes as, despite a weight of possession, the visitors struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Kane Richards was the biggest threat and the forward, who ended the 2015/16 season in red-hot from, opened the scoring in the 33rd minute with a sweet strike from 20 yards after running onto Ryan Astles' long pass.

Home keeper Joe Grant had earlier denied Elliott Durrell with a decent save while Aaron Hassall, one of six trialists to be given a run out, failed to convert from close range after good work from Richards.

Chester should have had a penalty three minutes into the second-half when James Alabi was felled from behind in the area but a second goal arrived soon after.

And it was Alabi who got it as ran onto Luke George's slide rule pass and exchanged a one-two with the impressive Johnny Hunt before rolling the ball past Grant.

The Blues went 3-0 up on 65 minutes when Evan Horwood, the standout player in the second period, knocked a ball behind the defence and Ryan Edwards, the former TNS forward who is on trial at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium, produced a composed finish.

Edwards was then forced off with an ankle knock before big defender Kris Stockton went closest for the home side with a header that bounced wide of Roberts' far post.

Chester continued to create chances as Grant saved from Hunt and Mahon but he was helpless to prevent a fourth goal with seven minutes left as Hunt's free-kick deflected off the wall and flew into the net past the wrong-footed keeper.

Grant denied Hunt a second late on with a smart save from close range as the Blues ran out comfortable winners.

Talking points

Horwood and Hunt: The biggest positive to take from the performance was the link up between Evan Horwood and Johnny Hunt down the left flank in the second-half. The pair struck up an immediate understanding with Horwood, whose touch and intelligent use of the ball made him stand out from the crowd, bombing forward into the space opened up as Hunt, revelling in a more advanced role cut in field from the wing. It's early days and the standard of opposition must be taken into account but these two are both clever footballers and it will be interesting to see how the partnership develops.

The trialists: Jon McCarthy used the game to take a closer look at six trialists who have been training with the squad over the past week or so: Aaron Hassall; Joe Heath; Kevin Exell; Rakim Newton; Ryan Edwards; and Wade Joyce. None of the six really grasped that chance although there were some promising moments, most notably Edwards' goal. It's harsh to judge them on 45 minutes but the manager has to make those calls and if the current trialists are not likely to be offered deals, it is best for everyone those decisions are made quickly.

Match stats

Chester FC first-half: Roberts, Waters, Hudson, Astles, Heath, Chapell, Joyce, Shaw, Durrell, Hassall, Richards.

Chester FC second-half: Roberts, Evans, Killock, Hughes, Horwood, Mahon, George, Newton, Hunt, Alabi, Edwards (Exell 70).

Goals: Richards 33, Alabi 51, Edwards 65, Hunt 83.

Sandbach United squad: Grant, Jones, Clayton, Lloyds, Jackson, Bartle, Hughes, Stockton, Cox, Cooper, Burgess, Watkin, Keir, Lane, Jepson, Edwards, Bettley.

Star man: Evan Horwood.