In an international club friendly on 29 July 2026, Chester FC travelled to the Weaver Stadium to face Nantwich Town and came away with a comprehensive 3–0 victory. The match served as valuable pre-season preparation for both sides, with Chester showing sharper form ahead of their Northern Premier League campaign.

Match Summary

Chester dominated the early exchanges and took the lead in the 16th minute. Midfielder Declan Weeks found space on the edge of the box and fired a low shot into the bottom corner. Nantwich struggled to create chances against a well-organised Chester defence, and the visitors doubled their lead just before half-time. Winger Iwan Murray cut in from the right and curled a beautiful effort into the far post.

The second half continued in a similar vein. Chester controlled possession and added a third in the 73rd minute through substitute Charlie Caton, who tapped in from close range after a goalmouth scramble. Nantwich had a few half-chances but never really tested the Chester goalkeeper, Wyll Stanway, who kept a clean sheet.

Key Observations

• Chester's pressing: They forced several errors from Nantwich's backline, leading to turnovers in dangerous areas.
• Nantwich's lack of sharpness: The home side looked a few weeks behind Chester in pre-season fitness and cohesion.
• Attacking fluidity: Chester's front three interchanged positions effectively, causing problems throughout.

What This Means

For Chester FC, this convincing friendly win builds momentum ahead of their league opener against Warrington Rylands on 8 August. Nantwich Town, who compete in the Northern Premier League Division One West, will look to learn from the defeat as they fine-tune their own preparations.