Kieran Weledji earns Scarborough Athletic a 1-0 home win against Chester

A battling Boro performance saw them earn a 1-0 win from a tough, competitive match against Chester, on a hard, bumpy pitch on a bitterly cold afternoon in Bridlington on Saturday.

Alex Purver was missing through suspension, Jack Waldron filling his midfield role superbly, and young winger Theo Chapman made his first League start of the season, while the visitors gave a debut to striker Zak Emmerson, on loan from FC Halifax Town.

Ste Walker, left, celebrates with goalscorer Kieran Weledji. Photo by Wandering Photography

placeholder image — Ste Walker, left, celebrates with goalscorer Kieran Weledji. Photo by Wandering Photography

Chester shaded possession in the first half, but Boro keeper Ryan Whitley handled confidently, and the back four of Kieran Weledji, Jake Hull, Will Thornton and Michael Duckworth was sold and hard working, and neither keeper was really tested in the opening 45 minutes.

Thornton blocked a shot from Dylan Mottley-Henry, Fin Shrimpton glanced a header into the arms of keeper Whitley, Jack Bainbridge headed wide, and Thornton tackled debutant Emmerson as he burst into the area.

Chester skipper Jack Bainbridge gets stuck in against Ste Walker. Photo by Wandering Photography

Boro’s best attack of the first half saw Lewis Maloney, back to his best after his injury lay-off, cross to Weledji, who turned and shot, but imposing centre-back Festus Arthur slid in to block.

Another Weledji shot was charged down by Nathan Woodthorpe, then Chester enjoyed a good spell just before the interval, Pat Jones curled a shot wide, a free-kick from Woodthorpe bounced off the top of the crossbar, and a terrific Duckworth tackle halted a mazy dribble from Jones.

Boro were quick out of the blocks in the second half, going ahead within three minutes, when a Jack Waldron throw-in on the left, was headed on by Thornton to Richie Bennnett, who volleyed into the goalmouth, and Weledji stretched to poke the ball home at the back post.

Chapman was impressive surging down the left wing, and Waldron, Maloney and Dom Tear had terrific games in midfield. Tom Leak hacked clear when Waldron passed to Chapman in the box, then a Maloney cross was headed over by Tear.

Boro boss Jono Greening. Photo by Wandering Photography

Hull kicked clear when Connor Woods charged forward for Chester, and a thunderous half-volley from Woods forced a fantastic diving save from the in-form Whitley, who also did well to hold a fierce strike from Declan Weeks. Tear then blocked a Jones strike, and a Woodthorpe shot landed on the roof of the net.

Shrimpton flashed a shot wide, and Weledji blocked a Woods strike, but Boro also created late chances, Tear was tackled by Leak when he dribbled into the box, and Bennett passed to Harry Green, whose low shot forced a good save from keeper George Murray-Jones.

BORO - Whitley, Weledji, Duckworth, Hull, Thornton(c), Waldron, Walker (Allan 78), Tear, Bennett, Maloney, Chapman (Green 70). Unused subs - Walpole(GK), Wadsworth, Gibson-Booth, Coyle.

CHESTER - Murray-Jones, Kelly-Evans, Woodthorpe, Leak, Arthur, Bainbridge(c), Murray, Mottley-Henry, Shrimpton, Emmerson (Peers 37), Jones (Weeks 77). Unused subs - Davies(GK), Leigh, Woods, Burgess, Rawlinson.