THE Under-18s completed their tough pre-season with a visit to Leeds last weekend which saw them take on Northern Alliance Under-19s League Champions Garforth Town in blistering heat on Saturday evening.

The home side set the pace and took an early lead. This was quickly cancelled out by Christopher Laws who curled a superb left footed free kick over the wall into the top corner of the net after 19 minutes play. The second half saw Chester take the upper hand and score a fine winner when centre-forward Andrew Bulford broke clear in the inside right channel to finish with a powerful angled drive.

On Sunday morning Chester visited Unibond club Guiseley on the opposite side of the city to play their Under 19 Academy side. Again Chester, were a goal down very early in the game after neat incisive football from the home side. Striker Bulford who had a strong penalty appeal turned down on the half hour then bustled his way into the box to cleverly beat the goalkeeper to put the sides level in driving rain at the interval. Chester made a double substitution upfront at half time bringing on young striker Martin Urwin to partner Christopher Laws.

Urwin with power and pace was quickly into his act and broke clear down the left before beating two players in the box and firing a superb goal to put Chester ahead. Guiseley immediately equalised after hesitancy in the Chester defence but within minutes the Cestrians were back in front - a ball cleverly played over the top put Urwin clear and again he made no mistake lifting the ball over the keeper from a tight angle for a fine finish. The pick of the goals was a fine flowing move, which was ruthlessly despatched from 25 yards by Christopher Laws. Chester could have had more goals with Steven Richardson heading against the cross bar and the home keeper tipping Costa Lorraine's 22 yard thunderbolt on to the cross bar and round for a corner. Final score 4-2 to Chester-le-Street.

Chester-le-Street: Connell, Nevins, Curry, R Draper, Clayton, Jones, Trueman, Taylor, Stoker, Wadge, Glazinski, Houghton, Lorraine, G Draper, Liddle, Watson, Underwood, Urwin, Laws, Bulford, Sweeney, Richardson, Browne.

Chester kick off their league campaign in the Fairs Software Tyneside Junior League tomorrow at home to West Denton (Moor Park, 2pm).

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed their FA Youth Cup first qualifying round game at Christie Park Morecambe, will take place on Monday, September 1, 7.45pm kick off.