CHESTER FC were well represented as fans travelled to watch the team start their National League North campaign with a difficult day in the North East.

The Seals took on Spennymoor Town on Saturday, August 10, but came away disappointed after a double from Isaac Fletcher and a stunning Matty Dolan free-kick resulted in a 3-0 loss.

It was an ominous start by the hosts who struck in the seventh minute after good work on the right wing and a dangerous cross into the box saw Fletcher’s deflected effort find the net.

He added to his tally in the 54th minute with a tap in following another raid by Spennymoor’s Corey McKeown.

Despite efforts from Kurt Willoughby in the first half and a scramble in the Spennymoor box which saw efforts blocked on the line after Harrison Burke hit the woodwork, Chester’s players were unable to find a foothold in the game.

Matty Dolan’s 75th minute strike went on to give the hosts a convincing opening day victory.

Manager Calum McIntyre, speaking to Chester FC TV, said that mistakes and individual errors had cost the Seals and the performance “fell short of the standards that [Chester] have set” and had generally maintained away from home.

He added that it was important not to “create our own crisis” and that they must now turn their focus towards next week’s fixture against Brackley Town.