Match ends, Tranmere Rovers 2, Chester FC 0.
Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Chester
- From the section Conference
Tranmere Rovers triumphed for the first time in five matches to win the first West Cheshire derby with Chester in 25 seasons.
Liam Hogan's early header set Rovers on their way before James Norwood doubled the lead on 37 minutes with a superb solo dribble and right-footed shot.
Chester rallied after the break and had a chance to reduce the deficit when Sam Hughes won a penalty for handball.
But keeper Scott Davies dived to his left to block John Rooney's spot-kick.
Chester old boy Gary Brabin's Rovers would have won by more had it not been for two fine one-on-one saves by visiting keeper Jon Worsnop to deny Norwood.
Tranmere Rovers manager Gary Brabin told BBC Radio Merseyside:
"It was a deserved three points. We played some great stuff in that first half and it was a class goal from James Norwood.
"We all know 2-0 is a dangerous lead and we expected Chester to come out kicking and screaming after the break. They're a good side.
"But, for all that, we still had plenty of chances. Scott Davies has made a fine save to keep out the penalty and all in all, it's a very pleasing result in front of a good crowd, which made for a great derby atmosphere."
Chester manager Steve Burr told BBC Radio Merseyside:
"It was poor defending for both the goals, especially for their first. You expect your keeper to come to take balls like that.
"And, for the second, although it was a wonderful goal by Norwood, he still started in his own half. We should have stopped him.
"Looking at it from their bench, it was a great goal. Looking at it from our bench, it was a poor one."
Line-ups
Tranmere
- 1Davies
- 12IhiekweBooked at 40mins
- 2Sutton
- 8Harris
- 16Hill
- 5Hogan
- 17Mekki
- 4Jennings
- 20DawsonBooked at 39minsSubstituted forJacksonat 78'minutes
- 10NorwoodSubstituted forMargettsat 90+4'minutes
- 14ManganSubstituted forMaynardat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Ridehalgh
- 7Jackson
- 11Maynard
- 13Turner
- 19Margetts
Chester
- 1Worsnop
- 4KayBooked at 82mins
- 22Heneghan
- 10RooneyBooked at 81mins
- 3Hunt
- 6Sharps
- 2Higgins
- 8Shaw
- 7MahonSubstituted forHughesat 46'minutesBooked at 51mins
- 9HannahSubstituted forHobsonat 70'minutes
- 16O'HanlonSubstituted forRichardsat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 11Chapell
- 12Hughes
- 13Forth
- 15Richards
- 19Hobson
- Referee:
- Simon Bennett
- Attendance:
- 7,433
Match Stats
Home TeamTranmereAway TeamChester
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away5
- Corners
- Home2
- Away2
- Fouls
- Home12
- Away9
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Tranmere Rovers 2, Chester FC 0.
Foul by Jay Harris (Tranmere Rovers).
Kane Richards (Chester FC) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Jonathon Margetts replaces James Norwood.
Corner, Tranmere Rovers.
Attempt blocked. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Attempt missed. Michael Kay (Chester FC) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Lois Maynard replaces Andy Mangan.
Foul by Craig Hobson (Chester FC).
Steven Jennings (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick.
Attempt missed. Ryan Higgins (Chester FC) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Johnny Hunt with a cross.
Offside, Tranmere Rovers. Andy Mangan tries a through ball, but Andy Mangan is caught offside.
Foul by Liam Hogan (Tranmere Rovers).
Craig Hobson (Chester FC) wins a free kick.
Booking
Michael Kay (Chester FC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Michael Kay (Chester FC).
Adam Mekki (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick.
Booking
John Rooney (Chester FC) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by John Rooney (Chester FC).
Marlon Jackson (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick.
Offside, Tranmere Rovers. James Norwood tries a through ball, but James Norwood is caught offside.
Substitution
Substitution, Tranmere Rovers. Marlon Jackson replaces Adam Dawson.
Foul by Michael Kay (Chester FC).
Adam Mekki (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick.
Attempt saved. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Penalty saved! John Rooney (Chester FC) fails to capitalise on this great opportunity, right footed shot saved in the bottom right corner.
Penalty conceded by Michael Ihiekwe (Tranmere Rovers) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
Attempt missed. Sam Hughes (Chester FC) header from the centre of the box. Assisted by John Rooney.
Corner, Chester FC.
Substitution
Substitution, Chester FC. Craig Hobson replaces Ross Hannah.
Offside, Chester FC. Kane Richards tries a through ball, but Kane Richards is caught offside.
Attempt blocked. John Rooney (Chester FC) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, Chester FC. Kane Richards replaces Josh O'Hanlon.
Attempt missed. Ross Hannah (Chester FC) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Attempt missed. Adam Mekki (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Attempt blocked. James Norwood (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Corner, Chester FC.
Foul by Ross Hannah (Chester FC).
Liam Hogan (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick.
