AS THE stars came out to celebrate Chester FC’s homecoming, Neil Young’s men produced a performance worthy of the occasion as they ended Trafford’s unbeaten start to the season in scintillating and emphatic fashion.

While famous names like Colin Murray, Pat Nevin, Perry Groves and Matt Smith added a touch of glamour to proceedings, it was Bradley Barnes, hat-trick hero Michael Wilde and George Horan who gave the 2,734 crowd gave what they wanted more than anything else on this historic night – and that was a Blues victory in the first competitive match back at the Deva Stadium.

That, however, should now read the Exacta Stadium as, during half-time in tonight’s encounter, leading business rates company Exacta PLC were unveiled as the new sponsors of Chester’s home ground.

ITV Sport broadcaster Smith accompanied his friend and Exacta chief executive Stuart Murphy in delivering the news of the company’s lucrative five-year sponsorship deal with the Blues to the fans.

And if that wasn’t enough, the home faithful were also introduced to the club’s latest ‘signings’ – former top-flight footballers Nevin and Groves, whose names will form part of Chester’s squad for every home game this season as part of a quirky sponsorship deal with BBC man Murray that will see the Radio 5 Live and Match of the Day 2 presenter hand over £2,000 of his own cash to the reborn club.

But on tonight’s evidence, Nevin and Groves will not be pulling on the blue shirt anytime soon as the hosts completely overwhelmed their Greater Manchester visitors.

After a slow start – understandable given the magnitude of what was much than just an Evo-Stik League First Division North clash – the Blues never looked back from the moment Barnes headed them in front in the 23rd minute.

The first goal back at the stadium could not have been more bizarre, though.

Having done the hard work by beating two defenders on the edge of the box, Rob Hopley’s miss-hit shot was seemingly heading out of play for a goal kick.

The ball, however, hit the corner flag and stayed in play, allowing Wilde to lay a pass into the path of Chris Williams, whose delicious first-time cross got the finish it deserved as Barnes wrote his name into the record books with a precise 12-yard effort.

Nine minutes later, Andy Burgess – a class act throughout his 50 minutes on the field – swung in a free kick which Wilde nodded in to double the advantage and – like Barnes – notch his first goal of the campaign.

And two became three in the 36th minute as Chester-born captain Horan steered in another inswinging Burgess delivery to follow his strike in Saturday’s win at Wakefield.

The Blues – showing three changes to the team that won at College Grove – continued to dominate after the break but it was not until the 71st minute that the inevitable fourth goal came as instant fans’ favourite Wilde raced on to Greg Stones’ long ball, outmuscled his marker and fired an unstoppable shot past the helpless Damien Rooney.

A perfect night got even better when Wilde completed his treble five minutes later with a clinical close-ranger before goal number six followed as the man of the match turned provider to set up Barnes to hammer home.

Magical, magical stuff. Make no mistake – Chester are back.

Chester: Whiteside, Stones, Ruffer, Horan, Williams, Howard (Connolly 75), Barnes, Graves, Burgess (Peers 50), Wilde, Hopley (Rogan 56). Subs: Sharrock, Field.  

Booked: Peers.

Goals: Barnes 23,  78, Wilde 32, 71, 76, Horan 36.

Trafford: Rooney, Harrop, Bayunu, Lawton, Ashton, White (Marley 52), Lawton, Shaw, Krou (Bailey 44), Turner, Barlow. Subs: Hargreaves, Woodford, Ratcliffe.

Booked: Marley, Barlow.

Referee: Ollie Oates.

Attendance: 2,734.