News from Deva Stadium March 2025

30 March 2025
CHESTER HELD BY NASH
With both sides aiming to secure a play-off place Chester and Curzon Ashton fought out a 1-1 draw at Deva Stadium on Saturday. Chester opened the scoring early on though a bizarre own goal that saw William Hayhurst slicing a Tom Peers cross into his own net off the Blues crossbar. The lead lasted all of three minutes as the unmarked Alex Curran fired a loose ball past Jimmy Storer who’d blocked an initial shot to draw Nash level.

Captain Connell Rawlinson was forced off just before the break through injury to be replaced by Tom Leak. Leak produced a superb tackle to deny Curran late on and Chester were thankful for a great save from Storer in the dying minutes to deny Isaac Buckley-Ricketts grabbing a winner for the visitors.

24 March 2025
BLUES BEATEN AT LEAGUE LEADERS
Chester suffered a 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe United on Saturday as the top two battled it out in front of a record crowd of 8,274 on non-league day. It was a cagey start to the game with Iwan Murray seeing an early opportunity slip just wide in the opening stages. The Iron opened the scoring eight minutes before the break, Cal Roberts lashing the ball past Jimmy Storer following an probing run and effort from Carlton Ubaezuonu.

Harrison Burke did well to block a Roberts shot early in the second period as the home side looked to double their lead. That they did in the 57th minute as Michael Kelly curled a 20-yarder past the diving Storer.

Chester responded with Connor Woods seeing a smart curling effort go just wide with Ross Fitzsimons, in the home goal, beaten.

Scunthorpe sealed the points three minutes from time as substitute Mo Fadera outpaced the back peddling Kevin Roberts to score the third goal on a break away. Chester scored a consolation goal in stoppage time through substitute Kurt Willoughby who curled a delightful free kick past the rooted Fitzsimons.

• Latest table after Scunthorpe defeat |

Picture © Rick Matthews

20 March 2025
BLUES YOUNGSTERS REACH FINAL

A goal from Ryan Atkinson gave Chester a 1-0 victory over AFC Fylde in the National League Academy Cup semi final yesterday afternoon at the KGV Sports Hub.

The young blues reached this stage following away victories at Boston United, South Shields and York City. They now face Maidstone United, the current holders of the trophy, in the final on Wednesday 7 May at the FA’s National Football Centre, St. George’s Park (near Burton) kick-off 13.00hrs. The Stones reached the final following a 1-0 win at Slough Town yesterday.

Chester: Davies, Lawson, Jamieson, Briscoe, Ireland, Muirhead, Murphy, Corbett, Rosenblatt, Lawrence, Atkinson. Subs: Skillen, Kennedy, Bush, Pilgrim, Deakin.

17 March 2025
CAPTAIN CONNELL LEADS THE WAY
Connell Rawlinson picked a good time to score his first league goal of the season on Saturday as his eighth minute header was enough to clinch the double over Leamington, and move the Blues into second place behind next Saturday’s opponents league leaders Scunthorpe United. Brakes enjoyed plenty of possession in the second period without really testing Jimmy Storer in the home goal.

DUO REACH MILESTONE
Congratulations to Declan Weeks and Kevin Roberts who both made their 200th appearance for the club this month.

12 March 2025
BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Chester put Saturday’s disappointing defeat at Chorley behind them as they came from behind to defeat near neighbours Warrington Town 3-1 a Deva Stadium last night. The Blues started well, creating three early chances, but it was The Yellows who opened the scoring early on with Aaron James heading home from a corner.

Chester drew level midway through the opening half with Tom Peers scoring from a penalty after referee Jake Allsopp had awarded the spot kick following a foul on Dan Mooney.

Chester dominated possession after the break without seriously threatening the Wire’s goal. With their first corner of the match Chester took the lead in the 77th minute. Weeks’ flag kick was headed down by substitute Kurt Willoughby to Taelor O’Kane who scored from close range.

Nine minutes later Chester wrapped up the three points with a stunning strike from Mooney, who, picking up on a poor clearance from goalkeeper Atherton, sent the ball straight back from 40 yards over the goalkeeper’s despairing dive into the net.

• League table after Warrington victory

10 March 2025
LATE DEFEAT AT CHORLEY
Chester surrendered an early two goal lead on their way to a disappointing 3-2 defeat at fellow promotion chasing side Chorley at Victory Park on Saturday afternoon. The Blues got off to a dream start opening the coring on 13 minutes as Taelor O’Kane’s through ball to Dan Turner split the Magpies defence, he crossed for Peers who shot past Matt Urwin in the home goal. Eight minutes later Peers doubled the lead deflecting home a Tom Leak Shot.

The game was end to end and the home side wee back in it moments later when Jimmy Storer and Mike Calveley had a coming together, referee Harry Jones said nor foul was committed on the goalkeeper as the loose ball found its way into the net.

The Magpies drew level on 34 minutes with George Horbury converting a cross from former Blue Kole Hall. The home comeback was complete with the winning goal coming nine minutes from time with Mark Ellis heading home unmarked at the far post following a set piece.

5 March 2025
MBNA EXTEND SPONSORSHIP
Chester have announced that MBNA have extended their partnership with the club until the end of 2026. That will be 16 years of sponsorship by the company with the club since they reformed in 2010. It has to be one of the longest standing partnerships around in football at the moment!

2 March 2025
FRUSTRATING POINT FOR BLUES
Chester had to content with just a point on Saturday after drawing with Needham Market 1-1 at Deva Stadium. The Blues got off to the perfect start opening the scoring on just four minutes as on loan midfielder Taelor O’Kane opened his account scoring from close range after Connell Rawlinson had headed down a Declan Weeks free kick.

Tom Peers almost doubled the lead minutes later, with just Marcus Garnham to beat in the visitors’ goal, he shot inches wide of the post. Lambert saw another effort saved by Garnham as Chester totally dominated the early proceedings.

Midway through the half the Marketmen drew level though Teddy Collis, who, having seen his shot from a corner saved by Jimmy Storer, was quickest to react and netted from the loose ball.

Chester pushed again and were unlucky when Jordan Hunter saw an effort crash back off the woodwork, the ball then ricocheted off Connor Woods onto the bar and over!

The second half saw few chances of note, Connor Woods going close late on but Chester were unable to break down a well drilled Needham Market defence and had to settle for one point.

• League table after Needham Market draw

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