Recap: Chester 1-1 Harriers

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HARRIERS produced one of their most assured performances of the season to earn a point from an encounter at Chester they will feel they deserved to win.

From the outset, Adam Murray’s side were positive and assured, taking control of possession and creating a succession of good openings.

Reece Devine drew the first save of the afternoon with a well-struck angled drive that was tipped over by the goalkeeper, before Tobi Sho-Silva’s battling play allowed Dan Mooney to fire over from distance.

Harriers’ front three continued to cause problems, Kurt Willoughby going close when he almost beat the advancing keeper, only to see his shot blocked by Tom Leak.

The ex-Chester pairing of Mooney and Willoughby then linked up as the former supplied the latter to curl wide of the target on 21 minutes, but that Harriers pressure finally told a minute later with the opening goal: the Reds combining neatly down the left and working the ball back to Devine, whose deep cross was met by the head of Ryley Reynolds to make it 1-0 with a beautifully guided header back across goal.

Chester threatened briefly from a long throw that saw Festus Arthur fire over, while Paul Kalambayi nearly doubled the lead on the stroke of half time when he reached a spilled free kick but could only find the side netting.

The second half began with Harriers still on the front foot as Willoughby stabbed narrowly wide from close range, before Chester responded with Iwan Murray firing over after a slip in the box.

Kalambayi went close twice more – first forcing a fine save with an improvised hook towards goal, then rattling the crossbar moments later as chances began to mount for the debutant.

Despite their dominance, Harriers were pegged back on 73 minutes when substitute Dylan Mottley-Henry nodded home from close range after a free kick was worked back into the area.

Harriers had their share of defending to do from there to make sure of a point that ought to have been all three but, even then, a solid showing ensured it was never a case of Chester laying siege to the visiting goal.

On the break, in fact, Murray’s men finished strong. Kalambayi had another effort cleared off the line after rising impressively in the area.

The back line stood firm in seven minutes of added time. Though a defensive header from a stretching Morgan-Smith clipped his own bar, it was Chester who were arguably left happier with their share of the spoils.

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