CHESTER battled heavy traffic to cross the Pennines and face Leeds – but it was worth it as they claimed a 3-1 win in the Northern League Division One.

The hosts have struggled for form all season and their desperation for a result manifested itself in a frantic opening.

Chester, however, scored first after a powerful short corner flick from Martin Sowden. They soon doubled their advantage after Chris Bowles crossed for Shaun Blaine to bury the ball from close range.

Leeds pulled one back before half time and the second half began with Chester throwing a lot of possession away but never looking under pressure.

They sealed the win 10 minutes from the end as Matty Hyden scored a trademark poacher’s goal from a well-worked short corner.

Chester face Stockton away tomorrow.

Chester 2nds drew 2-2 with Brooklands 4ths, Chris Moulson opening the scoring from a penalty corner.

Brooklands are a good side, however, and equalised quickly. The hosts again took the lead through Powell after the break but a deflection ensured Brooklands shared the points.

Michael Hopward scored for Chester 5ths as they lost 5-1 at home to Oxton 6ths. Man-of-the-match was Roger Thomas.

Deeside Ramblers Ladies bounced back from last week’s defeat at Pendle Forest to hammer Bolton Ladies 5-1. Pat Wells opened the scoring as her strike from a short corner proved unstoppable by the Bolton defence. Clare Pearson added a second with a diving effort soon after.

Undeterred, Bolton responded with a goal at the other end and at half-time it was 2-1.

The floodgates opened after the break as Kate Etherington set-up Pearson’s second and she got her hat-trick midway through.

Not satisfied with three, Pearson slipped the ball under the Bolton keeper late on to seal the game.

Ramblers’ men went three points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League with a 7-1 win at Newcastle University, Mark Goodyer proving influential.

Ramblers’ 2nds suffered a 4-3 reverse against Liverpool University.

Jack Hardman scored the opening goal for Ramblers, drilling the ball home. But it was only a few minutes before Liverpool equalised.

Will Wilson capitalised on a fluent move to make it 2-1 and then battled through a melee to double his tally and add Ramblers’ third goal.

Less than a minute later, Liverpool brought it back to 3-2 and after the break won a succession of penalty corners which enabled them to take the lead and the victory.

Ramblers’ 3rds beat Oxton 3-2 with goals from Ed Lowe, Phil Johnson and Kieran Harris, who got his first goal for two years.

An experienced Macclesfield side defeated visiting Ramblers 5ths 5-1. The tireless Keith Jaynes scored Ramblers’ consolation goal.

Deeside Ramblers Juniors have had five players selected for the Pennine Pumas team. Charlotte Brown, Katie Saunders, Josh Guy, Adam Dunbavand and George Cope are representing the region at the Futures Tournament at Cannock, which began yesterday.