Analysis: Feel-good factor is back at AFC Telford

After such a torrid three seasons, this confident display which made it three wins from as many home games this term was all the more sweeter.

Telford fully deserved this 3-1 victory. In the first half especially, they completely outclassed Chester.

The visitors came to town on the back of an embarrassing 8-1 thrashing at Blyth Spartans and then a fortnight without a game due to torrential rain damaging their ground’s PA system and CCTV equipment, and they made a lot of errors.

But you have still got to capitalise on them, and the Bucks did with aplomb.

James McQuilkin got his first goal for the club and in Daniel Udoh, who grabbed a brace, Telford could well have a star on their hands.

He tore the Blues defence to shreds and is already on five for the season so double figures should be his absolute minimum target.

The Bucks snapped him up after he was released by Crewe Alexandra at the end of last campaign and if he carries on like this, he will soon find himself back in the Football League.

For now at least, his work is to Telford’s benefit and, in fairness, it was not just him who shone.

Theo Streete has quickly become a fans’ favourite for his boldness at the back and came up with his finest display yet for the Bucks.

McQuilkin, Darryl Knights and Henry Cowans caught the eye with some intricate passing play too. Everyone played their part in this triumph – not just the Telford players, but the more than 1,300-strong home supporters as well.

Boss Gavin Cowan is determined to bring about success for the Bucks faithful to sink their teeth into again.

And this squad should be looking up rather than over their shoulders.

Based on what we have seen so far, being unbeaten after six matches, they could well finish in the top half of the National League North table.

Steph Morley, who has been dealing with a calf problem, was back in for Telford, replacing the suspended Ryan Sears.

Henry Cowans also returned to the side, with Jon Royle dropping to the bench.

Chester, unsurprisingly, made a few changes from the horror show at Blyth, after which joint-manager Anthony Johnson told a few players to rip up their contracts.

Skipper Scott Burton was among those who came in and they also switched formation, going from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3.

The Blues looked the hurt the Bucks on the counter-attack early on. Anthony Dudley – part of Salford City’s title-winning side last season – was leading the line and causing problems. Chester won a free-kick in a dangerous area five minutes in after he was tripped by Streete but, luckily for Telford, John Pritchard’s attempt was terrible.

The away side then started to show why they had managed to concede eight in their last match. Centre-halves Danny Livesey and Simon Grand, formerly of the Bucks, were at sixes and sevens and after a quarter of an hour, the hosts opened the scoring – following a comedy of errors.

Goalkeeper Grant Shenton’s clearance was blocked by Amari Morgan-Smith and a chase for the loose ball ensued; Shenton getting back to make the save. He then did well to deny Udoh but his defence could not clear and McQuilkin was able to steer home on the stretch – in off the post.

Telford refused to rest on their laurels and, within four minutes, doubled their advantage.

Udoh, who had a brief spell with the Blues last year, carried on his rich vein of form in front of goal with an outstanding left-footed finish which Shenton had no chance of getting to.

That quick-fire double silenced the travelling supporters and, struggling to cope with the pace and guile of the Bucks attackers, the Chester backline resorted to hacking down Udoh and Morgan-Smith at every opportunity.

Both received treatment and, fortunately, were able to carry on – and continue to pose questions.

The Blues were getting more rattled by the minute and, before the break, Matthew Hughes picked up a booking for unnecessarily pushing Morgan-Smith. Chester were booed down the tunnel.

Telford, who had been so cool when on the ball, had to make a substitution for the start of the second period; Dom Smith replacing Morley.

Smith partnered captain Shane Sutton at centre-half and Streete was pushed out to right-back.

The Blues made one of their own, bringing on Jon Moran for the sloppy Livesey, and looked sharper following what was sure to be a fiery team talk.

The Bucks gave the ball away cheaply on several occasions and Chester had the bulk of possession but, in all honesty, were not doing a great deal with it.

In an effort to find a cutting edge, Matt Thomson and Lloyd Marsh-Hughes were introduced.

Telford brought on out-and-out winger Adam Dawson for McQuilkin and Andre Brown for Morgan-Smith.

The Bucks got a third as the Blues’ high line was caught out by the speedy Udoh, who again found the net in emphatic fashion.

A clean sheet would have been the icing on the cake for Telford but they did not get one, thanks to Grand’s header which the assistant referee felt was narrowly over the line.

That was one of the few positives in an afternoon that those of a Chester persuasion will not look back on with any fondness.

While it is too early to pay too much attention to the table, the Bucks went up to second after this win – and their fans cannot help but smile about that.