Blues Match Report: Chester FC 3 - 1 Oxford City

Calum McIntyre’s team made it three league victories on the bounce, courtesy of a Tom Peers' hat trick under the lights at the Deva Stadium on Tuesday evening.

The Seals flew out of the traps and almost broke the deadlock in the sixth minute. A hopeful ball from Nathan Woodthorpe evaded the Oxford backline and found Charlie Caton.

The 22-year-old rounded goalkeeper Jonathan Macaulay but a moment of indecision meant he couldn’t get proper purchase on his strike and Jalen Jones was there to mop up the danger.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to fashion another chance and this one was ruthlessly dispatched.

A loose pass at the back for Oxford City saw Reece Daly pick up possession before expertly slipping in Tom Peers who made no mistake with his finish through Macaulay’s legs.

Minutes later Peers had a golden opportunity to double his tally for the evening after pouncing on another sloppy pass but he could only strike the base of Oxford’s right-hand post.

Oxford were close to levelling matters midway through the first period following a dangerous in-swinging corner but Harrison Burke crucially headed the ball off the line.

The visitors continued to be dangerous from set pieces and Josh Parker was inches away from restoring parity but his header bounced into the turf and over the crossbar.

After continuing to impose himself on proceedings, Peers would double the deficit shortly before the interval.

Jordan Hunter found the striker on the edge of the box, who swivelled graciously before adeptly firing into the bottom corner.

Oxford regrouped during the break and pulled one back within ten minutes from a set-piece situation.

The physically imposing Jones rose highest from a corner to nod past Elyh Harrison and get the Hoops back into the contest.

Ross Jenkins’ side thought they had equalised with a quarter of an hour to go after Lewis Coyle had prodded past Harrison but the linesman belatedly raised his flag for offside.

Dylan Mottley-Hnery was introduced into the fold to provide an injection of energy and he teed up Will Hugill with ten minutes to go, but the Burnley loanne’s effort was narrowly wide of the target.

The Seals wrapped up the full complement of points in the closing stages as the impressive Tom Peers clinched his hattrick.

Hunter showed enthusiasm to latch onto the ball down the right-hand flank before setting up Peers for the second time, who was perfectly placed to tap in his and Chester’s third.

The Blues head to Warrington on the weekend full of confidence and are only four points off league leaders Chorley with a game in hand.

Match Report by Jude Deedigan

CHESTER FC: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Roberts, Weeks (Murray 90+3′), Hugill, Daly (Mottley-Henry 70′), Caton (Hancox 81′), Peers (Willoughby 88′)

Subs not used: Pollock

Scorers: Peers 13′, 39′, 85′, Jones 52′

Attendance: 1553