Chester FC 3 Lancaster City 0

Iain Howard struck twice on a day of celebration inside the Exacta Stadium, as Chester ran out comfortable winners against Lancaster City.

On a day, when supporters took part in the 'Think Pink' theme day at the match, including many with hair turned pink - the team responded with entertainment of their own as they despatched an inform Lancaster side with ease in a 3-0 win.

Neil Young included new loan signing Antoni Sarcevic in the starting line up, which also saw a return of Greg Stones and Kyle Wilson, and key players recovered from midweek injuries to put on a great performance, and one the home crowd were needing after recent slips at the Exacta.

Chester didn't take long to get into their stride as Iain Howard bombed down the left Gareth Bale style to meet Michael Wilde's pass, and beat Dolly Blues keeper Martin Fearon with a shot that nestled nicely inside the far post on eight minutes.
Howard doubled his tally just twelve minutes later as Greg Stones and Michael Wilde combined to set up the left winger and he had made no mistake as he lifted the ball over Fearon to send the home crowd into raptures.

The visitors rarely threatened, but almost found a way through when Paul Jarvis had a chance to half the deficit but couldn't keep his shot on target, and from that moment the Blues were never really tested again.

Chester then went 3-0 just ten minutes after the break in another delightful move which saw Wilde thread a perfect ball through to the advancing Wilson who slotted home neatly in front of a jubilant Harry McNally Terrace.

Then came the moment when Chester fans thought they would actually get to see their side awarded a penalty, when Sarcevic was sent tumbling when about to pull the trigger on goal, but in what was surely the most blatant claim for a penalty at home this season, referee Mr Johnson waved play on much to the astonishment of everyone inside the ground.

Controversy struck again towards the end of this great Chester performance as contender for man of the match Sarcevic was adjudged to have used his elbow illegally, and was given a second yellow card following an earlier booking, and Chester were reduced to ten men.

It soured what had been a great day for the fans and players, but the simple fact is that Chester deserved their victory and move into 2nd place in the table as they keep the pressure on leaders Chorley.

Chester FC: Richard Whiteside, Stuart Jones, Chris Williams, George Horan, Carl Ruffer, Antoni Sarcevic, Bradley Barnes (Michael Aspin 82), Greg Stones (Stuart Graves 87), Kyle Wilson (Alex Titchiner 74), Michael Wilde, Iain Howard.
Goals: Howard 8, 20, Wilson 55
Booked: Sarcevic
Sent Off: Sarcevic
Chester FC Man of the Match - Iain Howard

Lancaster City: Martin Fearon, Rob Henry, Neil Marshall, Andrew Teaghe, Farrell Kilbane, Rob Wilson, Mike Rushton (Billy McKenna 70), Adam Farrell, Josh Kenworthy (Alex Johnson 34), Max Rothwell, Paul Jarvis (Danny Hattersley 45).
Lancaster Man of the Match - Adam Farrell

Referee: Gordon Johnson.

Attendance: 2,427.