Chester FC recorded a third straight pre-season victory with a 4-1 defeat of National League North side Stalybridge Celtic.

The win was not quite as convincing as the score might suggest with Celtic putting up a real fight for much of the first-half.

Jordan Chapell gave the Blues the lead on 35 minutes when Craig Mahon twisted through the defence and his cross found the winger, whose strike had too much power for Tony McMillan.

Three minutes later, Chapell had his second. Mahon's pass intended for Ross Hannah was intercepted and Chapell picked up the loose ball and his shot beat the wrong-footed keeper.

Celtic did not deserve to be two down and pulled one back on 42 minutes when Adam Farrell beat the offside trap and fired past Jon Worsnop as the half ended 2-1 to the Blues.

Following the usual raft of changes, Chester made a dream start to the second-half with two goals inside five minutes.

Sam Hughes got the third on 48 minutes when he headed home John Rooney's inch-perfect free-kick and Craig Hobson added the fourth two minutes later, hooking the ball past McMillan after good work from Kane Richards.

And that concluded the scoring with the Blues bossing the second period and seeing the game out without too much trouble.

Talking points

Jordan Chapell: Having impressed in the win at Hednesford, the ex-Torquay United winger stood out again in the first-half. He produced two clinical finishes for his two goals, offered width and possesses a deft touch. On this evidence, Chapell could be a real asset to the Blues for the forthcoming season.

Sam Hughes: The case for giving the teenage midfielder a contract grows ever stronger. Hughes netted his first senior goal with a smart header and gave another assured performance in the middle of the park. He looks comfortable at first-team level and he's an exciting prospect that the club needs to keep hold of.

Match facts

Stalybridge Celtic: McMillan, Wylie (Wisdom 62), Hughes, Shaw, Chippendale, Chalmers, Dixon, Wright, Johnson (McKenna 46), Simm (Tames 62), Farrell..

Subs: Regan, Hill.

Goal: Farrell 42.

Chester FC first-half: Worsnop, Higgins, Kay, Sharps, Hunt, George, Shaw, Mahon, Chapell, Hannah, Hobson.

Chester FC second-half: Forth, Tonge, George (Hayes 66), Heneghan, Herbert, Hughes, Rooney, Peers, Thomson, Richards, Hobson (Greenop 66).

Goal: Chapell 35 and 38, Hughes 48, Hobson 50.

Referee: Ryan Johnson (Swinton).

Star man: Jordan Chapell.

Verdict

The final scoreline does not give the true picture of what was another tough, competitive workout for the Blues.

Chester did not look comfortable in the first-half with the hosts working hard to shut them down and stop them settling on the ball. Jordan Chapell's quck-fire double offered some breathing space but the midfield three struggled to impose themselves for the most part.

Celtic could feel unfortunate to go in behind at the break so for them to be 4-1 down five minutes into the second period was harsh, but give the Blues credit for putting them to the sword in such emphatic fashion.

There are still questions to answer, particularly who starts in midfield and how to get the best out of Ross Hannah, but overall the signs are pleasing with two pre-season games remaining.