News from Deva Stadium August 2015

30 August 2015
BLUES LATE LATE SHOW BRINGS VICTORY
Two goals in the final minutes brough an unexpected victory at Moss Rose on Saturday. Chester trailed Macclesfield Town 1-0 through a Danny Whitehead effort seven minutes into the second half and looked to be heading home pointless, before substitute Tom Peers prodded a loose ball home following a John Rooney Free kick in the 89th minute. Then in the final seconds of five minutes added time, Graig Hobson turned and shot the winner from the edge of the penalty area to send the 800+ travelling fans behing the goal wild.

26 August 2015
ONE GAME BAN FOR HENEGHAN

Defender Ben Heneghan has received a one match ban following his red card at Woking on Saturday. Henegan saw red after bringing down Dan Holman in the penalty area with the Cards converting the spot-kick. It was a bad day all round as traffic problems saw the team arriving late at a sweltering Kingfield and a hamstring injury forced Ross Hannah to be substituted after just 16 minutes.

Woking took full advantage of the extra man though Chester never gave up with Michael Kay scoring the club’s 500th goal since reforming and John Rooney netting a wonderful free-kick in the 5-2 defeat.

Manager Steve Burr said: “We got here late and the preparation didn’t help but I can’t blame that. Everything just seemed to go wrong.”

“I was pleased with the lads and how they kept going. I thought when we had 11 on the park we were well in control of the game. We never looked in any danger at all.”

“They’re a good side, Woking, and I was more than happy with the way the game started and how we were playing. I think the decision and losing Ben Heneghan, and I’ve got nothing against the sending off as it was a penalty, and going down to 10 men made it very difficult for us. But the lads kept going.”

Heneghan will sit out Saturday’s match at Macclesfield Town who sit seven places below Chester in 18th spot.

• League Table after Woking match

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

21 August 2015
BLUES HELD AT HOME

The Chester defence was breached for the first time this season as Cheltenham came from behind to leave Chester with a point. Ross Hannah had given the Blues the lead on eight minutes with his first goal of the season. He also had another ruled out for offside and missed a golden chance to double the lead in the first period.

The Blues paid for those missed chances as Kyle Storer notched an equaliser early in the second half following a mistake from Jon Worsnop.

Hannah told the Chester Chronicle: “We fully believe this squad is capable of getting into the play-offs so you’ve got be critical at all times I think. We feel we can challenge in the play-off places and your home form has got to be good. We did play well on Tuesday, I’m not saying we didn’t but you’ve got to be looking at your home games and winning them and we’re slightly disappointed that we didn’t take our chances.”

“ I had a chance at 1-0 that I’m disappointed I didn’t put that away. If I do then it’s a different game going into half-time because it’s harder for them to get back into it.”

• League Table after Cheltenham match

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

17 August 2015
BLUES EARN POINT FROM DOVER
Despite hitting the woodwork on three occasions Chester had to be content with a hard fought 0-0 draw at Dover on Saturday. Ross Hannah and Craig Hobson (twice) hit the home bar but the home side also had their chances with Johnny Hunt clearing their most dangerous effort off the line.

• League Table after Dover match

12 August 2015
CHESTER MOVE THIRD
A Jordan Chapell strike saw Chester notch their second win of the season with a 1-0 victory at FC Halufax Town. Nearly 500 fans made the midweek trip over to West Yorkshire for an entertaining game that saw the Blues record a second clean sheet in a week to move into third place in the league. Manager Steve Burr described the performance as “magnificent”.

Following victory at The Shay Burr said: “It’s early days yet and we know how difficult this division is but it’s nice to see the team gelling so well with so many new faces. They’re a great bunch to work with, there’s some great lads in the dressing room and they’re really determined as you saw at Halifax to put a good shift in for the shirt.”

“It’s nice that we changed it around and we’ve still gone on and won and kept a clean sheet. Jon Worsnop made a couple of saves but there was nothing really to hurt us and overall I thought our performance was magnificent.”

Chester now face the long trip to Dover Athletic on Saturday looking for their first ever victory over the Whites at the Crabble Ground. Chris Kinnear’s side picked up three points at home on Tuesday night following a 3-2 victory over Kidderminster Harriers. They were beaten 2-1 at Barrow on the opening day of the season.

• League Table after FC Halifax match

10 August 2015
BLUES OFF TO WINNING START

It took just four minutes for Chester to score their first goal of the season and record a first home win in three attempts over Braintree Town.

Johnny Hunt’s individual effort from the edge of the box was enough to bring the three points. The visitors saw plenty of possssion but the new centre back pairing of captain Ian Sharps and Ben Heneghan coped well and Jon Worsnop pulled off a couple of saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Manager Steve Burr said: “I think there was a lot of anxiety in our play compared to how we were in pre-season but you’ve got to give credit to Braintree. Without actually hurting us, they knocked it about well and have got good movement. We just had one of them days where we had to dig in and get the result.”

“Probably looking at this time last year, we’d have maybe not won that game. At the back the boys were immense but you defend from the front and the lads have put a good shift in so I’m really pleased.”

Chester are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to FC Halifax Town, kick-off 19.45hrs.

• League Table after opening match | More pictures

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

7 August 2015
FITNESS TEST FOR CAPTAIN SHARPS
Team captain Ian Sharps will have a check on a hamstring strain before tomorrow’s season opener against Braintree Town, he missed the game against Crewe as a precaution.

1 August 2015
WINNING END TO PRE-SEASON
Chester completed their pre-season campaign with an entertaining 3-2 victory over neighbours Crewe Alexandra. An opening goal from John Rooney after just four minutes set the Blues on their way to victory. Chester had chances to increase their lead but it was Alex who found te net next equalising before teh break. Chester restored their lead on 57 minutes through Ross Hannah. Crewe drew level again before Tom Peers scored the winning goal.

Manager Steve Burr said after the game: “The side that we were up against were League One but we're just pleased with how our boys are shaping up. We knew it was going to be tough but we got off to a terrific start, the goal was top drawer and for the first 10 or 15 minutes I thought we were excellent.”

“As you would expect, Crewe got into the game a little bit but it was an entertaining game and we need to produce that in the league.”

HUGHES AWARDED CONTRACT

Youth Team midfielder Sam Hughes has been rewarded for some impressive pre-season outings with a full time first-team contract. After signing on the dotted line, Hughes said: “It’s a great feeling. I'm very happy with the signing and it’s a dream come true because I’m going to be playing football week in, week out for a great club.”

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

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