CHESTER CITY got their pre-season campaign off to an impressive start, as they turned in an imperious performance to see off Paul Merson's Walsall at the Deva Stadium on Saturday.
City were 3-0 up at the break, and with a little more luck they could easily have doubled that figure against a side who will play in a division higher than them next season.
Kevin Ellison got the home team off to a perfect start when he firmly headed home a cross from Stamp after just 90 seconds.
New signing Michael Branch then began to show his class as he brought out out an excellent save from Paston and then flashed an effort just wide of the upright.
The industrious efforts of Branch finally got their reward towards the end of the first period when he scored two goals in a nine-minute spell. After 32 minutes the former Everton and Wolves striker glanced McIntyre's cross past the over-worked Paston.
Then four minutes from the break Stewart Drummond played a delightful defence-plitting though-ball and Branch unleased an unstoppable shot home from 20 yards.
There were a clutch of substitutions at the start of the second period. While both sides rattled the woodwork, the final result was never in doubt.
Chester's new signings looked impressive, with Drummond and Ellison outstanding, and youngster Cortez Belle also caught the eye in the heart of defence.
After the match City boss Mark Wright reflected: "There was a lot of quality out there, the first half display particularly was pleasing. I think we still need two more players to make us stronger, and I will be speaking to the chairman about that."
Wright appears to have assembled a squad that looks capable of challenging for honours again.
CHESTER CITY: Brown (Mackenzie, 46), Vaughan (Edmondson, 46), McIntyre, Bolland (Handyside, 46), Collins (Hope, 46), Drummond (Davies, 46), Branch (Sheeron, 46), Ellison (Roberts, 46), Harris, Belle, Stamp (Rapley, 46).
