Pools Youth Team bowed out of the NLFA Cup on Monday nightafter being beaten 3-1 by Chester at The Deva Stadium.
Ian McGuckin's youngsters had the better of the opening
stages and caused some real problems for their hosts, Keaton Sturdy firing a
shot just past the upright as they penned Chester back.However, the opening goal went to the home side when Pools
couldn't fully clear a corner and when the ball was whipped back in to the area
it was headed in to the net by Chester defender Harrison Burke.Chances were at a premium during the remainder of a scrappyfirst half and Chester took their 1-0 lead in to the break.
The second half was a quite even affair and Pools began to
pass the ball around well but they were struggling to find the killer pass and
a clear route to goal.Harrison Webster came forward from left-back to engineer ashot on goal but fired just wide as Pools pressed to get back on level terms.
However, the hosts then caught Pools on the break with a
swift counter-attack which was finished off by Will Goodwin who knocked in to
make it 2-0.Chester then started to dominate possession and only a
couple of minutes later it was 3-0 when another swift break saw them punish Pools
as this time Stuart Crilly found the net.Pools did get a goal back when Aaron Willoughby produced
some neat footwork and clinical finish low past the Chester keeper twelve minutes
from time to make it 3-1.And McGuckin's men could even have snatched another late on
Adam Campbell's shot beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by recovering
defender Jake Hampson.“We started the game really well and got on the front foot,”McGuckin told us.
“For long periods I was pleased with what I saw but we didn't
really get the end product to match our approach play which is disappointing.
We need to capitalise more when we're on top.“There was a good crowd there and a great atmosphere for the
lads to play but it's just frustrating that we couldn't get the result and progress
in the competition.”Full Time: Chester 3 Pools 1
Pools: Lowerson, Miller, Thompson (James 50), Pilling, Webster, Campbell, Sturdy, Gibson, Leonard, Willoughby, Grey.
Subs not used: Wilson, Naisbett.