Jacob Hazel makes temporary Chester exit

Striker has joined National League North rivals Darlington on three-month loan

Jacob Hazel has made a loan exit (CHARLIE STOCKTON)

Chester striker Jacob Hazel has joined the Blues’ National League North rivals Darlington on a three-month loan.

The 32-year-old number nine joined Chester in the summer following his exit from National League side Boston United, but, despite a strong reputation as a goal-getter at this level, has struggled to make an impact for his new club in the final third as the Blues have struggled with their attacking potency.

Hazel, who returned towards the end of last season for the Pilgrims from an ACL injury that sidelined him from the penultimate game of the 2024/25 season, has been unable to rediscover his best form in a Chester shirt, and starting opportunities have been limited, appearing just three times in all competitions from the beginning, with seven substitute appearances. In his 10 competitive games for Chester he has failed to score.

He joins a Darlington side sitting second bottom in the National League North with seven defeats from nine, although he will be in familiar surroundings having featured for the Quakers where he played between 2022 and 2023, registering a 19-goal campaign in 2022/23, including a mid-season streak of 13 goals in 12 games between November and February.

Phil Parkinson’s side are in need of greater threat in the attacking third, but loanee Ruben Butt’s double against Lower Breck in the FA Cup last weekend gave rise to some hope from the Blues boss that they may have someone in the building with a more clinical nature in front of goal.

The door isn’t closed on a Chester return for Hazel, but the hope is that he can get regular football and a confidence boost away from the Deva to try and get back to the levels he had before his ACL injury.

Further additions could arrive at Chester in the not-too-distant future but it is unlikely, in the short-term at least, to be in the attacking third.