Chester v Morecambe _ Past Matches

1) Chester 0 Morecambe 1 (Howarth) – FA Cup 2nd Round November 25th 1961 Att: 7,982 The first meeting between the two sides and Morecambe, then playing in the Lancashire Combination, beat Fourth Division strugglers Chester with a Gordon Howarth goal in the first minute. Chester are in the middle of a record 26 league games without a win and after the game angry supporters demand the resignation of manager Stan Pearson. Three days later the supporters wish is granted. Morecambe are knocked out of the cup in the next round by Weymouth while Chester end the season bottom of the league.	2) Chester Reserves 4 (Davies (2), Molyneux, Pritchard) Morecambe 0 – Inter-League Challenge Cup 1st Round September 1st 1962 The Inter League Challenge Cup was a short lived competition between teams in the Cheshire County League and the Lancashire Combination. Morecambe came to Sealand Road with a side containing only three changes from the previous meeting but are convincingly beaten by Chester’s second string. Two of Chester’s goals are scored by future Welsh international Ron Davies who regains his first team place two weeks later and after seven goals in seven games is transferred to Luton Town for £12,000.
3) Morecambe 1 (Brown (pen) Chester City 1 (McGuinness) – Friendly August 2nd 1,991 A Friday night friendly in preparation for Chester’s second season based at Macclesfield. Chester introduce new signings Barry Siddall, from Carlisle United, and Paul McGuinness from Manchester United. It’s McGuinness who grabs an 88th minute equaliser, his only goal in City colours. After only 3+4 appearances he returns to Old Trafford to join the coaching staff. He is currently Manchester United Academy assistant manager.	4) Morecambe 0 Chester City 2 (Blackburn, Woods) – Nationwide Conference September 5th 2000 Att: 1,557 The first league meeting between the two sides and Chester’s first away win in the Conference. Graham Barrow’s City win the game more convincingly than the scoreline suggests as the strike force of Andy Evans, Mark Beesley and Darren Wright miss a host of chances. The first goal is an unstoppable header from Chris Blackburn who, of course, is now a Morecambe player.
5) Chester 1 (Lancaster) Morecambe 0 – Nationwide Conference January 27th 2001 Att: 1,717 City complete the double over Morecambe thanks to Martyn Lancaster’s first goal for the club. In a dismal game both sides finish with ten men as Paul Carden and Ryan Zico-Black are sent off. Chester give a debut to new signing Jimmy Haarhoff from Birmingham City who impresses in his brief appearance as a substitute. The Morecambe team includes Greg Brown and Mark Quayle who both spent some time at the Deva Stadium.	6) Morecambe 0 Chester City 3 (M Rose, M O’Brien (2) – Nationwide Conference October 13th 2001 Att:1,764 After a dreadful start to the season under Gordon Hill, City win their second successive game under the control of caretaker manager Steve Mungall. Mike Rose stamps his authority on the game with a magnificent free kick for Chester’s first goal. Mick O’Brien adds two more in the second half, his only goals for the club. Dave McKearney is sent off for a dangerous tackle on O’Brien.
7) Chester 1 (Beesley) Morecambe 1 (Arnold (pen) – Nationwide Conference December 8th 2001 Att:1,466 With both sides out of the FA Cup this fixture is brought forward from February as Morecambe secure their first point and first league goal against City. Chester end a run of three successive defeats in their struggle to avoid relegation but it is clear, on this performance, that an injection of new blood is needed in the team. Iain Jenkins makes his first appearance after returning to the Deva from Shrewsbury Town.	8) Chester 2 (Twiss, Sugden) Morecambe 1 (Drummond) – Nationwide Conference September 3rd 2002 Att:2,039 Chester maintain their unbeaten start with victory in their sixth game of the season. Surprisingly, after two successive goalless draws at the Deva, Michael Twiss’ 71st minute goal is the first seen at the Deva in 2002/03. Meanwhile, Stuart Drummond’s goal is the first conceded by City in 530 minutes. Key to Chester’s victory was the introduction of substitute Michael Brown with 20 minutes remaining.
9) Morecambe 3 (Bentley (2), Rigoglioso) Chester City 2 (Bolland, Clare) – FA Cup 2nd Round December 7th 2002 Att:4,293 A thrilling cup-tie hinges on the dismissal of Ryan Sugden on the verge of half time. Morecambe twice come from behind to earn a third round tie with Ipswich Town. Daryl Clare scores his seventh City goal in his fifth appearance following his transfer from Boston United while former City triallist, Jim Bentley, scores two first half goals for Morecambe.	10) Morecambe 1 (Rigoglioso) Chester City 1 (Twiss)– Nationwide Conference February 15th 2003 Att:2,012 For the second time in under three months Adriano Rigoglioso is on hand to deny Chester. The midfielder pounces in the fourth minute of injury time to score a crucial equaliser after Wayne Hatswell fails to clear a Dave McKearney cross. Danny Collins starts the game up front for Chester but the City goal is scored by substitute Michael Twiss in the 66th minute.
11) Morecambe 0 Chester City 1 (Clare) – Nationwide Conference November 11th 2003 Att:1,959 Chester maintain their unbeaten league record at Christie Park and go top of the table where they have remained ever since. For Morecambe it is their first league defeat at Christie Park for 15 months. The only goal of the game is scored by Daryl Clare with 14 minutes remaining while Alex Smith shows his quality on his first appearance for the club after re-signing from Reading.

Chas Sumner [Published 13/3/04]

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