Chester’s top scorer Rachel Lever and midfielder Sarah Redman’s impressive goals weren’t enough to stop dominant Salford City claiming a 6-2 win and extending their lead at the top of the league.
Abby Bennett scored twice for the home side as Feiruz Abdullahi, Beth Tattersall, Laura Tobin and Ellen Thornton all got on the scoresheet.
It was a difficult game for the Seals at Parlington Sports Village, as they conceded first in a match for the fifth time in eight games. Their poor away form was on show again, as they find themselves having recorded only one win away from home this season.
Nevertheless the Blues find themselves in fourth place and still in contention for league glory. However, their chances have taken a hit with today's underwhelming performance against a superior Salford side.
The opening goal came as Bennett navigated her way through the Chester defence before powering home from the edge of the box. The start went from bad to worse as the Lionesses soon doubled their lead.
The blues lost the ball playing out from the back as Katie Priest’s loose touch favoured Tattersall who managed to nick possession and played in Abdullahi. She calmly slotted home to goalkeeper Olivia Cooke’s near post from close range.
The Seals managed to get a goal back in the 29th minute to make it 2-1 with Ashleigh Bullock’s crunching tackle in midfield which turned into a great pass which set off Lever on the left wing. Chester’s leading scorer drove towards goal and finished with a confident swagger past goalkeeper Jess Duke.
The Lionesses’ quality shone through on the brink of half time. Tobin played in captain Tattersall who took the pass under control well before toe poking the ball into the bottom right of the goal.
With no back up keeper available striker Sarah Gill took up the responsibility in net as Cooke was forced off with an injury. Gill straight away was asked questions as Salford attacked a corner which clipped off the bar from a Tobin header and out for a goal kick.
The second half started fiercely, challenges flying in from both sides as Bennett won possession for her side and took the ball past Kim Sands and Lucy Adderley. Before her brilliant piece of play sealed her second goal of the game, sliding the ball under Gill from a tight angle.
The reds hit a fifth four minutes later as Annabel Ainscough’s through ball found Abullahi who did well to shield off Adderley before finding Tobin who’s effort bumbled into the bottom right.
The Seals never gave up and battled their way back. The hard work payed off as Redman found the back of the net for her second goal of the season. Michelle Pasco hit a long ball from left back which dropped to Redman in the centre of the box and lashed the ball into the top left corner, leaving Duke with no chance.
The game was nearing its conclusion as the Lionesses worked one final attack to add to their already impressive goal difference as Ellen Thornton finished from close range. Salford knocked it around nicely in midfield before playing it wide for substitute Stacey Barley who delivered a teasing cross, which Thornton managed to convert and make it 6-2.
It was a valiant effort from Martin Fitzsimons’ ladies, who beat the league leaders earlier this season, the only team that has managed to do so in the league. But today wasn’t meant to be as Salford Lionesses took all three points, as Chester continue to struggle with their slow start in games.
Chester FC Women now look ahead to next weeks game at home to Warrington Wolverines FC First Women, where the Seals will look to bounce back to winning ways.
Check out goal scorer Rachel Lever's post match interview...
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