In a pre-season friendly match held at the Deva Stadium, Chester FC faced off against Salford, ultimately losing 3-0. Goals from Welsh international Ben Woodburn and Jay Bird put Salford ahead in the first half, while an own goal by Tom Leak sealed the victory for Salford after halftime.
Chester’s manager, McIntyre, reflected on the match in an interview with Chester FC TV, describing it as a “really useful workout.” He explained that facing an opponent outside the EFL provided a unique challenge, allowing the team to emphasize their playing style. McIntyre acknowledged that opting for a defensive approach might yield short-term results but would not be advantageous in the long run, emphasizing the importance of building a strong foundation for the upcoming season.
Looking ahead, Chester FC will be playing against Colwyn Bay on Tuesday before heading to Northern Ireland for another match this weekend.
In other pre-season action, Connah’s Quay Nomads played two friendlies, drawing 2-2 with Whitchurch Alport thanks to goals from Rhys Hughes and Harry Franklin, and later coming back from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 against Lower Breck with contributions from Eddie Survets, Dan Roberts, and Callum West.
Flint Town United secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Avro, with the only goal coming from an own goal in the first half. In a more convincing win, Holywell Town triumphed 4-0 against NFA, with Jamie Breese contributing two goals alongside efforts from Olly Buckley and Fab Murtas. Meanwhile, Airbus suffered a close defeat 2-1 to Bala Town, with George Peers scoring for Airbus.
These matches reflect teams’ efforts to fine-tune their performance ahead of the competitive season ahead, offering insights into their readiness and strategies. As pre-season progresses, teams continue to build chemistry and evaluate their squad depth, which is crucial for success in the upcoming competitive fixtures.