THE MATCH
After a goalless opening period Gateshead took the lead on 62 minutes when a deep James Bolton ball was turned towards goal by Wes York but deflected over the line by Blues defender Vassell.
The Blues went close through a James Alabi, Kane Richards and James Akintunde but they struggled to carve out any real clear cut chances.
And it was 2-0 with eight minutes remaining when substitute Ryan Bowman played in ex-Wrexham winger Wes York who had time to advance and pick out a spot in the far post and beat Liam Roberts in the Chester goal.
Chester's misery was compounded three minutes before the end when a Paddy McLaughlin cross was powerfully headed home by defender Smith.
ANALYSIS
As with every new season there is hope and optimism but Jon McCarthy faces a big task lifting his players after this opening day beating.
After a first half where there was little to choose between the sides Chester fell apart in the second and Gateshead ended up registering a comfortable win and leaving McCarthy with plenty to ponder.
While the centre backs looked strong enough, little was created going forward and Chester never really looked like making the Heed pay. Until the goal they were steady but Gateshead's experience proved key.
With Dagenham & Redbridge to come on Tuesday, the games don't get any easier.
It's worth noting that the season is only 90 minutes old but this was not the start that McCarthy and his Blues squad would have wanted. Not as bad as the 5-0 hammering at home to Barnet in 2014, but bad all the same.
The Blues must be tougher and, hopefully, the returning experience of Evan Horwood over the next week will provide a boost. There were few positives from today, however.
CROWD WATCH
The Blues fans never fail to do their team proud and 256 made the journey to the North East and were in fine voice.
Sadly, though, they had little to cheer and will no doubt have been left fearing the worst after witnessing such a defeat.
But they will be back on Tuesday for the first home game but they deserve an improvement on what they were given today.
MATCH FACTS
Gateshead: S Johnson, Bolton, G Smith, M Smith, Hogan, Fyfield, York (90), D Johnson (Ajala 67) Styche (Bowman 65), Mafuta, McLaughlin.
Subs: Hanford, Sweeney.
Goals: Vassell (OG) 62, York 82
Bookings: Hogan
Chester FC: Roberts, Hunt, Hudson, Astles, Vassell, Durrell, Chapell (Mahon 75), Shaw (Hughes 88), George, Richards (Akintunde 75), Alabi.
Subs: Worsnop, Waters.
Goals:
Bookings: Richards, Vassell, Shaw
Attendance: 991 (256 from Chester)
Referee: Peter Wright (Southport).
