Chester FC Women exited the Argyle Sports Kit North West Regional Cup at the first hurdle following a 2-0 defeat against North West Women's Regional League Premier outfit Manchester Stingers.
Chester were looking for their first win in four games after suffering three consecutive league defeats, but goals from Michelle Townsend and Georgia Plant ensured the Stingers would progress through to the second round of the cup.
The Premier League side didn't have it their own way through, with top scorer Rachel Lever going close on numerous occasions and Amy Smith hitting the outside of the post in the first half. On another day the Seals will feel the result could have gone the other way had their chances been taken.
Manchester Stingers began the game the stronger of the two teams and controlled possession in the opening ten minutes with Chester finding it hard to get hold of the ball. Ultimately the first chance of the game would fall to the Blues, a neat one-two with striker Amy Broomhead saw Amy Smith played through one on one. But visiting keeper Amber Kerr pulled off a brilliant reaction save down to her left to deny Smith the opening goal of the game.
The next chance of the game would fall to the Stingers, after great build-up play in the midfield a ball was whipped across the box only for Georgia Plant's effort to go narrowly over the bar.
Chester were slowly beginning to ride the storm of the Stingers, but ten minutes before half time they were behind. Following Nic Armstrong's deflected shot the ball fell to Plant on the edge of the box and the striker made no mistake dispatching the ball into the top left corner past an outstretched Liv Cooke.
Chester could have found themselves two goals down moments later, a neat pass across the six-yard box was narrowly missed by Georgia Plant a very big let-off for Chester. The game remained 1-0 at half time.
The second half followed a similar pattern as the first, two minutes into the second half Chester were nearly the architect of their own downfall. A misplaced pass by Blues defender Lucy Adderley forced Cooke to make a brilliant save to her right to keep the score 1-0.
Five minutes later the Blues had a guilt edge chance to level the game after Abi France won the ball back in midfield, a great pass was played into Lever only for Kerr to fingertip the ball over her bar and keep her clean sheet intact.
Chester sensed that the game was far from over here and we're now firmly in charge, Lever was causing all problems for the Stingers defence and almost punished them. Chester's top scorer received the ball on the right and her cross/shot clipped the top of the bar with the keeper left helpless.
The Seals were then made to pay for their missed chances, a through ball found Michelle Townsend who beat Cooke for pace and slotted ball into the bottom corner and doubled her side's advantage with only twenty minutes remaining.
The Seals continued to attack but couldn't open the Stingers door, Lever came close once more but couldn't convert. With time running out Chester created more chances, Amy Broomhead lifted a cross into the box which the keeper failed to deal with but Lever lifted the ball over the bar. Just one of them days for Chester.
Chester bowed out the cup at the first round but could be very proud of their efforts against a team from the league above, The Blues will look to bounce against West Kirby in the Chesire FA County Cup next Sunday.
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