It’s the second game in as many days for Chester FC as the busy pre-season period for the Blues continues.
Yesterday evening, a Blues side made up of Academy products and trialists beat Welsh Premier League side Llandudno on their travels 4-0.
It was the fourth game of the pre-season schedule after clashes against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool FC, Ramsbottom United and Runcorn Linnets.
And fewer than 24 hours after kicking off against Llandudno, the Blues are back in action today at the Swansway Chester Stadium.
And it could prove to be a barometer of where the Blues stand ahead of the National League North campaign with the visit of League Two side Bury, now managed by former Chester City forward Ryan Lowe.
We’re live from the Swansway Chester Stadium as Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s side continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the new campaign starting on the first weekend of August.
Key Events
Reaction from the opposition
Snippets of Ryan Lowe’s post-match interview here, talking about his links with the Blues.
Reaction from Chester FC joint manager Bernard Morley
Here’s what one half of the Blues management team had to say after today’s loss against Bury.
Dave Powell's match report
So it’s a second pre-season defeat of the season for the Blues - and both have been at the Swansway Chester Stadium.
Though Bury dominated large parts of the game, there were some decent spells for Chester FC against a side which graced League One last season.
You can read Dave Powell’s match report HERE.
Verdict at full-time
The views of the Chronicle’s Chester FC reporter Dave Powell after the defeat today.
FT: Chester FC 0-1 Bury
And the Blues slip to their second pre-season defeat of the season with Omotayo’s goal early in the second half proving to be all that separated the sides.
Corner wasted
Bury corner comes to nothing as goalscorer Omotayo rises highest but his header goes off target.
Great challenge
Not for the first time, Moran stops a darting McFadzean in his tracks, with the resulting Bury corner being headed over.
Cross into the box
Pritchard whips a ball into the box from the left and tries to find Thomson, but Hudson is there to clear up the danger.
Midfield battle
After both sides have made so many changes, there’s a midfield battle going on with neither side able to find a way through.
Another great Shenton stop
Adams takes a Bury corner which falls to Chris Sang and takes his time but Shenton gets a glove to the shot and pushes it wide.
Good work from Hughes
Hughes darts down the left with pace to burn but Cooney does just enough to shield and ball and it goes out for a goal kick.
Two more Chester changes.
Hughes on for Stopforth and another trialist comes on in place of Roberts.
Blues goal chalked off
Pritchard’s corner is met by Howson and tapped home by Grand, but is flagged offside.
Nice ideas
Mooney tries to play a long ball forward to the trialist but it goes into the hands of Hudson. Afterwards, Roberts does well to steal possession and float in a cross.
Unlucky
A probing ball from Stopforth over the top nearly finds Mooney who nearly makes it to the ball before it goes out for a goal kick.
Good pressing forces error
Good pressing of the Bury rearguard from Pritchard, Burton and the trialist forces Hudson to blast into the stands.
More good work from Mooney
The Blues break forward and Stopforth finds Mooney who drifts into the area and Thompson does just enough to put him off and clear.
GOAL - Chester FC 0-1 Bury
Bury break the deadlock with one of the five new substitutes Gold Omotayo scoring from Ryan Cooney’s cross.
Early let off
Shenton is nearly lobbed by Shakers substitute Gold Omotoyo a minute after the restart.