League leaders Chester FC made light work of overcoming second placed rivals Skelmersdale United at the Exacta Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The blues took the lead through a powerful Michael Wilde header from Tom Field's corner kick in the 23rd minute before visiting defender Steven Akrigg was handed his marching orders for bringing down Chester’s leading goalscorer inside the area.
Wilde was denied a second goal when he failed to convert the spot kick but with Skelmersdale United now reduced to ten men, Chester made their advantage count and soon increasing their lead six minutes after the interval when Field converted the second spot kick of the afternoon after Aaron Turner tripped Antoni Sarcevic inside the area.
The impressive Stuart Jones bagged a third just after the hour mark when he followed up from Wilde’s blocked shot whilst James McCarthy completed the scoring with six minutes remaining when he beat off two defenders before side footing the ball into an empty net.
Chester FC: Sanna; Jones, Horan, Ruffer, Williams; Sarcevic (Titchener 82), Barnes (Stones 77), Field, Howard; Wilson, Wilde (McCarthy 72). Substitues not used: Connolly, Graves.
Skelmersdale United Paxton; McIntosh, Byrne, Burke, Akrigg; Turner, Woolcott, Armstrong, O'Donnell (Wade 64); Almond (Towey 87), Latham (Parle 64). Substitutes not used: Strickland, Mawdsley.
Referee: Mr Chris Kavanagh, Lancashire
Attendance: 2,741
Chester FC Man of the Match: Stuart Jones
