Stouport Swifts 0
Chester City 3
CHESTER CITY cruised into the fourth round of the FA Umbro Trophy with a comfortable victory in last night's third round replay at Stourport Swifts.
The kick-off was delayed for 10 minutes when the two turnstiles at the small but quaint ground couldn't cope with the Midlanders' largest crowd for years.
Stourport started the better with player-manager Tim Langford firing over from close range and leading scorer Simon Marsh brought out a good save from Wayne Brown in the City goal.
Chester took the lead a minute from the break following a spell of pressure from the home side.
Brown made two saves in quick succession from Mulders before Blackburn cleared to unmarked striker David Brown.
The former Hull City player took the ball on and, after rounding home keeper Rob Clarke, he slotted home from an acute angle to register his first ever goal for City.
The visitors took control in the second period with their leading scorer Mark Beesley causing problems for the Dr Martens League side.
After 55 minutes, the ex-Preston North End striker fired narrowly wide from 15 yards. Then 10 minutes later he brought out a good save from Clarke, who was forced to parry the ball with his legs.
Beesley gave the scoreline a realistic look in the final stages. After 85 minutes he latched on to a ball from Brown to double City's tally, and in injury time he registered his second and City's third with an effort that took a deflection off defender Steve Ulfig.
City will now play another Dr Martens League side in the fourth round. Solihull Borough will be the visitors to the Deva Stadium on Saturday February 2.
CHESTER CITY: W Brown, Woodyatt, M Rose, Jenkins, Lancaster, Spink, Carden, Blackburn, M O'Brien, D Brown, Beesley. Subs: Halford, Haarhoff, Porter, Collins, Jones. REFEREE: Mr M A Williams. ATT: 630.
