Coming off the bat from an impressive 7-1 victory in their last outing, the Turf looked to go into this game with their heads held high and the ball at their feet. The match kicked off at 11:00 am and was officiated by referee Chris Shield, who maintained control throughout the encounter.
The Turf FC lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation, designed to provide both defensive solidity and attacking flair. Andy Gowland was stationed in goal, while Nathan Sterling and Ben Walton occupied the right and left defensive flanks, respectively. The central defensive pairing of Dan Cave and Jamie Tincknell offered a robust backbone. In front of the defence, Ian Johnstone played as the holding midfielder, tasked with breaking up opposition attacks. The attacking midfield duo consisted of Lewis Currie on the right and Joe Currie on the left, with Scott Thompson, Ryan Hardy, and Owen Hardy leading the line as forwards.
The game kicked off and the Turf settled straight away into their stride, breaking up attacks and creating chances of their own. The opening goal arrived in the 20th minute when Lewis Currie found the net, finishing expertly inside the box after a precise assist from Owen Hardy. This early breakthrough set the tone for The Turf FC, who maintained control of the game and continued to press for further goals.
As the first half progressed, Chester United struggled to find their rhythm, and The Turf FC capitalised on their defensive lapses. Ryan Hardy doubled the lead, scoring from close range after another assist from Owen Hardy, this time via a long pass accross the box that sliced through the opposition defence for an open goal as the Hardy brothers linked up perfectly.
With the scoreline at 2-0, the teams continued battling for dominance, but the Turf refused to give Chester a chance. The Turf were awarded a free kick just outside of their own half, which was floated in by Ian Johnstone, but as the Chester keeper comes to collect it, he is met with the head of CB Jamie Tincknell, taking the ball from the keeper and tapping the ball into the net; however, the decision would go against the homeside and the ref would blow for a free kick to Chester, keeping the match at 2-0.
As the half drew to a close, The Turf found themselves on the front foot again, blazing into the oppositions box. With Ian Johnstoneon on the ball, he expertly crafted his way past the defence, before being wiped out just inside the area for a Turf penalty, as Chester are left with their heads hung in frustration. Johnstone steps up to take the penalty, but fires the ball over the bar before Shield blows for half-time.
Chester United faced an uphill battle to turn the match around. The second half saw The Turf FC make a tactical change, with Jack Dawson replacing the injured Scott Thompson, pushing Lewis Currie up into a more attacking position as the second half commenced. Chester, with a few substitutions of their own, seemed to find their rhythm a bit, creating chances for themselves, but each time, were squandered on the attack.
Chester saw a chance come knocking when a bad pass from Ben Walton at fullback, came back across his own box to an attackers feet, but was saved by a last ditch effort by Dan Cave at CB, parrying the ball off the crossbar and back into play for a lucky escape. However, a second chance would be right around the corner for Chester, when a free kick was awarded on the edge of the Turf area. The striker steps up to take it, and fires the ball top corner, only to be met with the gloves of Gowland between the sticks, saving a great shot to retain his clean-sheet.
Brandon Fitzgerald replaced Ben Walton in the 55th minute, adding fresh legs to the left side of defence. The Turf FC continued to dominate possession and create chances, and their efforts were rewarded in the 60th minute when Owen Hardy was fouled in the oppositions area. This time, Jamie Tincknell stepped to the spot, and despite nagging responces from the away side, the unfazed Tincknell fired straight down the pipe and into the back of the net, extending the lead to 3-0.
As the match continued, tensions flared, with Chester being awarded a free kick at the halfway line after a Joe Currie foul. A Chester defender marches straight up to the ref and screams for disciplinary action before squaring up to the ref, finally being show the red card. Suddenly, all hell broke loose as the Chester side charged onto the pitch and began trying to fight everyone, one even placing keys between his fingers as he stormed into the fray.
With the majority of the Turf trying to de-escalate the situation, Jack Dawson found himself at the wrong end of a Chester cheap shot, catching a right hook to the face as the away side refused to calm down. Threatening violence to everyone at the Turf, as well as the ref.
With Chester continuing to embarrass themselves as a football club, Chris Shield had the game abandoned in the 65th minute, and rightfully so, as the disgraceful Chester headed for the changing rooms, silently waiting for the Turf to come back for a second round that never came. The Turf kept their heads and allowed Chester to leave without further incident, as Chester were left with egg on their faces at the woeful display.
The Turf FC's solid performance was marked by effective teamwork and clinical finishing, leaving them with a well-deserved victory as they look to build momentum ahead of the upcoming season.
