Chester FC Women dispatched fellow league side West Kirby Ladies 3-1 to book their place in the quarter finals of the Cheshire FA Ladies Cup at Marine Park.
Two goals from midfield maestro Ashleigh Bullock and the opener from Abi France were enough to put the game to bed for the Seals, despite a late consolation goal from the hosts.
The win ends a run of four defeats in a row for Chester, and manager Martin Fitzsimons said after the game that the team "are looking to kick on and take this form in to the league performances."
Check out the full match highlights:
The Blues dominated from the first whistle and opened the scoring on 20 minutes as Rachel Lever's through ball found the blistering pace of France who beat the 'keeper and tapped home in to an empty net.
Despite appeals for a penalty from West Kirby on the half hour mark as Olivia Cooke slid in on an opposing attacker, it was the Seals who doubled their lead before half time.
Bullock confidently thumping the ball in to the net after Amy Broomhead's looped ball played the Blues midfielder through 1-on-1 with the 'keeper.
After the interval, it was more of the same dominance from the visitors and soon enough Bullock would grab her second of the game.
It was Broomhead with the initial chance after Bullock's through ball found the striker in on goal, but her shot bounced off the goalie and right back in to her feet. Broomhead then simply laid it off to Bullock who calmly side-footed it past the 'keeper.
The home side would finally get their breakthrough with five minutes to play, a cross from the right-hand side finding the unmarked forward. Her looping header flew over the hapless Cooke to end the game at 3-1.
West Kirby's high line
In the opening stages of the game it was clear to see that West Kirby's game plan was to operate a high defensive line to try and trap the Chester forwards offside.
This was a decision which proved to be fruitless for the hosts as the Seals time and again broke the line and got through on goal.
Even before the opening goal on twenty minutes, it took a last-ditch tackle to deny Broomhead, and then moments later one of many through balls from the Chester midfield found Lever who lost her balance whilst striking on goal.
Fitzsimons' team took perfect advantage of this tactic from West Kirby and created many chances that enabled them to go in to half time two goals to the good.
Clinical Chester
In recent weeks, the Blues have failed to make their chances count against top opposition who have punished them, resulting in a four game losing streak.
In contrast, Chester took their chances confidently and early in this game, to build a lead and give the players the opportunity to play with more freedom.
Most notably, Bullock's first goal in which she fired the ball home with her weaker foot, showed the level that the Seals were playing at on the day. Finishing their chances and playing with a lot of self-belief.
Smith's Injury Worry
The only negative that Chester took from the game was the injury to key midfield player Amy Smith right on half time.
Smith has been integral this season for the Seals, providing just about everything you can ask for as a central midfield player in Fitzsimons' system.
Tackles, assists, goals and a superb work-rate, she will be missed in the Blues midfield throughout her injury lay-off.
There is light at the end of the tunnel for Chester however, as replacement Hannah Snape put in an astute performance off the bench, staking a claim to fill the void left by Smith in the midfield.
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