Chester FC Youth boss Calum McIntyre believes the best is still to come from his side after a 3-1 win at Skelmersdale United put them further clear at the head of the North West Youth Alliance Premier Division.
Jacob Evans, Matt Waters and Tom Crawford netted for the Blues on a wet and windy afternoon in West Lancashire.
"The lads have put in another huge effort this afternoon and we’ve got what we deserved over the course of the game really," said McIntyre after the game.
"Skelmersdale were tough to break down and we had to be at our best to create chances. Some of our combination play was terrific at times and our first goal was as good as any seen on Match of the Day this weekend.
"It was awful conditions again to play football but we were delighted to get a game in as the fixture list is being decimated and this is the first time in a long time we’ve played on consecutive weekends.
"We’re on a great run and I can’t praise the players enough but there is definitely more to come from us yet."
Chester had the first real chance of the game when Kevin Exell’s header was smartly saved as the visitors struggled to create chances against a resolute home defence.
The hosts looked to threaten from set-pieces and would’ve taken the lead but for a magnificent save from Harry Mates in the Chester goal, diving high to his left to force the ball out for a corner, before Nathan Brown had a free-kick saved for the Blues.
Chester took the lead on the back of a superb move as a counter attack culminated in Exell’s delicious back-heel being thumped home by Evans on the edge of the box.
Ilan Ap-Gareth shot wide of the near post on the stroke of half-time as the visitors unsuccessfully looked to double their advantage going into the interval.
Skelmersdale levelled on the hour mark when an in-swinging free-kick from the left wasn’t dealt with and a rebounded effort bounced over the line despite Coery Scarisbrick’s attempt to clear.
The equaliser saw Crawford and Oliver Nugent introduced for the visitors and they were back in front minutes after being pegged back.
Evans slid the ball beyond the defence for Niall Dawson and he was bundled over in the penalty area with the defender being dismissed for preventing an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Waters stepped up to convert the spot-kick to make it 2-1.
Nugent found the side netting after turning well on the right hand side before Crawford increased the lead and put the game beyond the hosts, travelling across the box with the ball before slotting the ball into the far corner of the net.
Next up for McIntyre's side is a trip to Warrington Town Youth on Sunday, February 7 (2pm).
