Chester FC picked up their first win at the Deva this season and with it moved out of the relegation spots.
It was a hugely revitalised performance from the Blues after their dismal display against Salisbury on Saturday. But the home side certainly didn’t make light work of the win despite surging to a two-goal lead.
Neil Young made four changes from the weekend and those decisions alone proved pivotal in securing the win. Aidan Chippendale, George Horan, Gareth Seddon and Lee Pugh all came into the side, replacing Joe Heath, Paul Linwood, Alex Titchiner and Danny Harrison.
The changes brought about a noticeable difference and Young’s side were arguably faultless in the first 15 minutes, attacking with real endeavour and adventure.
And for all their relentless attacking intent the Blues were eventually awarded with the opening goal 18 minutes in. Bury Loan signing Aidan Chippendale put the home side in front with a simply stunning free kick.
He whipped in an awkward delivery that evaded everyone in the box – including the goalkeeper – and found the bottom corner much to the delight of the home supporters.
The Blues refused to sit on their lead and maintained their rousing momentum as they went in search of that all-important second goal.
Gareth Seddon repaid the faith shown in him by the manager by scoring an exquisite goal just past the half-hour mark. It was both fantastic and fortuitous in equal measure but no one could argue with the sublime finish.
The striker capitalised on a diabolical error from Efe Sodje before darting into the area and beautifully lifting the ball over the onrushing Rhys Taylor in goal.
Yet Chester gave the visitors a lifeline just before the interval. Daniel Whittaker latched onto Horan’s wayward header and confidently dispatched his effort into the bottom corner.
Daniel Andrew cracked an effort against the bar in the second-half for the Silkmen before Ben Mills missed the opportunity to put the game beyond doubt against his old team.
Steven Williams hauled down man-of-the-match Danny Higginbotham in the penalty area, giving the referee little choice but to point to spot. However, Mills stepped up to take the spotkick only to see his effort comfortably pushed away by Taylor.
Despite a sustained amount of pressure from the visitors during the closing stages the Blues were able to hang on and for their first-half display alone fully deserved the win.
Attendance: 2012
REF: Darren Handley
CHESTER: Danby, Kay, Higginbotham, Horan, Pugh, (Heath) L Turner, N Turner, McIntyre, Chippendale (Harrison), Mills, Seddon, (Titchiner)
Subs: Titchiner, Harrison, Mahon, Linwood, Heath
Cards: Kay (Y) Chippendale (Y)
MACCLESFIELD: Taylor, Connor, Andrew, Martin, Mackreth Holroyd, Sodje, Boden, Whitaker, Rowe, Halls
Subs: Turnbull, Kissock, Winn, Branigan, Williams
Cards: Connor (Y)
