News from Deva Stadium November 2011

30 November 2011
MATCHES REARRANGED
Chester have rearranged two fixtures and will now face Mickleover Sports at home on Saturday 28 January. This is followed by the away trip to Kendal Town on Tuesday 31 January 2012.

• Fixtures

29 November 2011
FA TROPHY
Chester will travel to North Ferriby United on 10 December in the first round of the FA Trophy after they beat Conference North side Corby Town 3-2 in tonight’s Third Qualifying Round replay.

MATCH OFF
Tonight’s league match at Kendal Town has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. There is no new date for the fixture as yet.

28 November 2011
AWAY TIE FOR BLUES
Chester’s reward for reaching the first round of the FA Trophie is an away tie against either Corby Town or North Ferriby United, to be played on Saturday 10 December. The Blues reached the first round on Saturday with a great 2-0 win at Southern Premier League side Stourbridge. Second half goals from Iain Howard and Matty McNeil brought a fully deserved victory for the Blues who adapted to the blustery conditions well in front of around 500+ traveling supporters.

Corby, who lie sixth in the Conference North, were held at home 1-1 by North Ferriby United on Saturday, the replay in the north east takes place tomorrow night.

KENDAL PITCH INSPECTION
There will be a pitch inspection at 10.30 tomorrow morning at Kendal to see if the pitch is playable for tomorrow night’s scheduled league fixture. Heavy rain in recent days, and more forecast for tomorrow, has put the game in serious doubt.

24 November 2011
BROWNHILL STRIKE TAKES BLUES TOP

Liam Brownhill’s timely first goal for the club was just enough to take Chester above Northwich Victoria to top the table, on goal difference, for the first time this season. Brownhill scored seven minutes before the break after Chester had dominated the opening period. It was a different story after the break though with visitors Ashton United missing a couple of great chances to draw level with John Danby, who had been a spectator for the opening 45, also pulling off a great save to deny Sam Madeley from six yards out.

The Blues face a tough task on Saturday with a third qualifying round match in the FA Trophy and FA Cup giant killers Stourbridge. The Glassblowers reached the second round of that competition for the first time following a deserved 2-0 win over Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.

Manager Neil Young will be hoping that Chris Simm will be available after the striker missed the Ashton match with a foot injury. Young believes that this will be the toughest game of the season for Chester, he told the Chester Chronicle: “We will be facing a very difficult side whose results lately have been fantastic. Given it’s also away from home, I don’t think we could have been given many harder ties at this stage of the competition.”

“Stourbridge play at the same level as us and we’ve got to go there and impose ourselves on them. We’ll take a replay if we have to. We’ll be going to win the game but we won’t be going gung ho because first and foremost we want to stay in the competition.”

Tomorrow’s match is segregated and Chester supporters will be housed in a temporary seated stand on the cricket ground side of the pitch (capacity 442). A second stand near the clubhouse will be available if necessary. Admission prices are: Adults £9, Seniors £6, Juniors 14-16 £6, Juniors 13 and under £3. Chester supporters must enter the ground through the Arch entrance only. Unfortunately the social club at the ground will not be open to and supporters for this game.

• Latest table

23 November 2011
CHANCE TO MOVE TOP
Chester can top the table tonight with a home victory over Ashton United. Leaders Northwich Victoria were beaten 3-1 at home by Chorley last night so the Blues can overhaul their Cheshire rivals on a superior goal difference should they pick up three points off Ashton. Manager Neil Young will have Chris Simm available after the striker shrugged off a foot injury that forced him out of Saturday’s victory over Matlock Town, while Wes Baynes will have a fitness test prior to the kick-off.

21 November 2011
BLUES KEEP THE PRESSURE ON

Chester remain two points behind leaders Northwich Victoria following their hard fought 4-0 win over Matlock Town on Saturday. Man of the Match Matty McNeil helped Chester on their way with the opening two goals but it wasn’t until the final stages of the match when Chester wrapped things up with late goals from Luke Holden and Michael Wilde (pictured) to give manager Neil Young the perfect 37th birthday present!

Young told the Chester Chronicle: “I thought we were outstanding from the first minute to the last. The whole team put in a performance they should be proud of.”

“In the dressing room before the game I had a feeling it was going to be a good day as the players were well up for it. We knew they were going to play 4-5-1, sit in, and make us try and break them down, so we picked players who could drive and get at them from the first whistle. It was a great win.”

New signing Antoni Sarcevic started in midfield but there was a change to the line-up just prior to the match with Liam Brownhill coming in for Wes Baynes who injured an ankle in the warm-up with Joe Holt then being promoted to the bench.

Chester are next in action on Wednesday night with a home game against 18th placed Ashton United. The Blues have beaten their opponents at home once already this season, 2-1 in the FA Trophy last month, and also away from home in the league 2-0 in September.

• Latest table

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

18 November 2011
SARCEVIC JOINS ON TWO YEAR DEAL

Chester have completed the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Antoni Sarcevic on a two year deal from Crewe Alexandra. The player is no stranger to Chester fans having spent a successful period on loan at the club last season where he made 7+0 appearances scoring 2 goals.

Should all the paperwork be completed in time, Sarcevic will go straight into the squad who face sixth placed Matlock Town tomorrow afternoon.

Manager Neil Young said: “I’m delighted to be signing a player of Antoni’s quality. It’s a major signing for the club and I know he is made up to be joining Chester.”

• Player Transfers

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

16 November 2011
BOOK SIGNING ON SATURDAY MORNING

Author Chas Sumner will be signing copies of his latest book ‘125 Years On The Borderline – The Complete History of Chester City Football Club’, at Waterstones in Chester between 11.00-12.30hrs on Saturday morning. With Chas at Waterstones will be two former greats, Gary Talbot and Grenville Millington. Following that Chas will be signing books at the club prior to the Matlock Town game.

The 320 page book is priced at £25.95 and completes the story of the club up to the demise in 2010. As well as a complete narrative of the club’s history it also includes a comprehensive list of results and scorers from the club’s formation in 1885. In addition, all the team line-ups from 1931 are provided as well as full statistical details for all players who played for the club in the Football League and Conference along with nearly 100 team photographs.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

BLUES EXIT CUP AS HORAN SEES RED

Captain George Horan (pictured) could receive a four match ban following his second red card of the season last night as Chester were beaten 3-1 at Hednesford Town in the Evo-Stik League Cup.

Horan was dismissed in the 13th minute along with Nick Wellecomme following some pushing and shoving that took place on the edge of the box prior to a free-kick. Manager Neil Young made seven changes for the match and gave full debuts to Joe Holt, James Ellison and Joe Ormrod, before introducing both Jordan Grace and Sean Miller from the bench for their first team debuts.

The Blues fell behind to a Mark Danks goal on 19 minutes but drew level through Robbie Booth four minutes before the interval. Danks gave the home side the advantage six minutes after the restart with his second goal. Chester pushed in search of a second equaliser but it was the home side who booked their place into the fourth round with a breakaway Amani Allen goal in stoppage time.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

BILLY WINDLE 1920-2011

One of Chester’s most popular players of the 1950s, Billy Windle, died recently at the age of 91 and our condolences go out to his wife Beryl and all his family and friends.

It was Frank Brown who brought Billy to Sealand Road early in the 1951/52 campaign and the diminutive winger made the first of his 127 league appearances at Bradford Park Avenue in October 1951.

• Obituary

14 November 2011
WIN KEEPS BLUES SECOND

Around 400 Blues fans were at the Turnbull Ground to see Chester remain second in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division following a comfortable 4-0 away victory at Whitby Town on Saturday.

Goals from Luke Holden, his first for the club, and two from Matty McGinn (pictured) had given the Blues a commanding 3-0 half-time lead with the game being wrapped up in the 86th minute with a fourth goal by Iain Howard to condemn the Seasiders to their eights successive defeat. Northwich’s 3-0 win at Rushall Olympic keeps them three points clear of the Blues.

On-loan striker James Ellison made his first appearance from the bench and the club have announced that another player, ex-Wigan Athletic midfielder 21-year-old Joe Holt looks set to come to Chester today after being released by the Lancashire club in the summer. He has recently been playing for Cammell Laird following trials with MK Dons, Plymouth Argyle and Tranmere Rovers.

Manager Neil Young praised the team for Saturday’s win, he said: “I thought we did enough on the day. It wasn’t a great performance but to come away from home and win 4-0 you’ve got to be happy.”

“We killed the game in the first half and although we would have liked to have carried on entertaining and creating as many chances in the second half, the main thing was to get a bit more compact and not be as open. Without being sparkling we’ve done what we came to do.”

Chester are in action tomorrow night with an away third round tie in the Evo-Stik League Cup (Doodson Sport Cup) at Hednesford Town, kick-off 19.45hrs. Admission prices are: adults: £7.00 and concessions £5.00 – these prices will apply to all areas of the ground, Main Stand and Terraces. There will be no segregation in place.

• Latest table

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

10 November 2011
LOAN SIGNING JOINS SQUAD
Manager Neil Young has brought in his second loan player of the week with Burton Albion forward James Ellison joining on a one month deal. Ellison is a former Liverpool Youth Academy player and signed for the Brewers in July 2010. He has made 0+2 appearances for Burton before having a loan spell this season between August-October at Conference side Alfreton Town where he has made 1+7 appearances, scoring one goal but also picking up one red and three yellow card’s. Ellison goes straight into the squad who play Whitby Town on Saturday. In preparation for the match the team will be staying over in Middlesbrough tomorrow night.

There was also good new for two youth team players, Jordan Grace and Sean Miller, who have been promoted to the first team squad.

9 November 2011
STOURBRIDGE TRIP FOR CHESTER
Chester will travel to play Stourbridge, managed by former Chester City player Gary Hackett, in the FA Trophy third qualifying round on Saturday 26 November after the West Midlands outfit comprehensively won their replay at Kendal Town last night 6-0.

BLUES EXIT CHESHIRE CUP

Chester lost 2-1 at Stalybridge Celtic in the second round of the Cheshire Senior Cup. The fell behind to their Blue Square North opponents as early as the third minute as Craig Hobson sent an unstoppable shot past Adam Judge in the Blues goal. Midfielder Michael Powell soon departed with a leg injury before Celtic, managed by former Chester City boss Jim Harvey doubled their lead through Stephen Brogan midway through the half.

Chester had a great shout for a penalty following a foul on Chris Simm turned down before the break. The Blues fought back well after the interval, creating several chances. Robbie Booth (pictured) headed wide and George Horan saw an effort cleared off the line before Booth put the finishing touch to a Luke Brownhill cross to score with eight minutes remaining.

The Blues piled on the pressure in the closing stages with Wes Baynes heading over and Michael Taylor missing a golden opportunity to equalise.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

8 November 2011
125 YEARS ON THE BORDERLINE

The updated version of On The Borderline entitled ‘125 Years On The Borderline – The Complete History of Chester City Football Club’ is launched at the Football Club tomorrow (Wednesday) night and author Chas Sumner will be signing copies, that will be available from the club shop, between 18.00 and 20.00hrs. Chas will also be available to sign copies before the home match against Matlock Town on 19 November. Copies are also on sale at Waterstones in Chester and a book signing will take place there at 11.00hrs prior to the Matlock game.

7 November 2011
TROPHY TRAVEL FOR CHESTER
Chester have been drawn away to either Evo-Stik Southern Premier League side Stourbridge or Kendal Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy. The two sides drew 3-3 at Stourbridge on Saturday and replay in Cumbria tomorrow night. The tie against Chester will take place on Saturday 26 November.

YOUTH TEAM VICTORY
Chester moved into second place in the North West Youth Alliance Premier League following a 3-0 at Northwich Victoria yesterday. The Blues’ goals came from Matty Murphy (2) and Sean Miller.

• Youth table

5 November 2011
KEN FLETCHER 1931-2011

Former Chester full-back Ken Fletcher died recently in Australia at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer. Our condolences go out to his family and friends.

As a youngster Ken represented Liverpool schoolboys and signed as a professional for Everton in August 1949. He failed to make the first team at Goodison Park and was one of Louis Page’s first signings when he moved to Sealand Road in July 1953.

• Obituary

4 November 2011
HALIFAK TAKE RAINFORD ON LOAN
Forward Jamie Rainford has joined FC Halifax Town on a one month loan. The striker has been unable to command a regular starting place since signing from Marine in the summer and has scored twice in 4+12 appearances. Joining Chester on a loan spell is Droylsden forward Luke Holden who does straight into the squad for tomorrow’s FA Trophy match against Stafford Rangers.

One player who won’t feature is Michael Wilde who has picked up an ankle ligament injury and will be out for some time. With a series of players carrying knocks more loan signings may join the squad next week.

Admission prices: adults £8, concessions £5, U16s £1.

2 November 2011
BLUES BEATEN AT BRADFORD
Chester were guilty once again of not taking their chances and were made to pay by Bradford Park Avenue who scored a 93rd minute winner. Avenue took the lead four minutes before the break through Richard Marshall but Robbie Booth, who’d earlier missed a great chance to score, equalised for Chester six minutes after the break. Both sides had chances to snatch all three points before Adnan Ahmed did just that for the home side as Chester miss the opportunity to go top.

This was the first of no fewer than nine matches in November!, next up are Stafford Rangers who visit Chester on Saturday in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy, kick-off 15.00hrs.

• Latest table

THINK PINK SUCCESS

Saturday’s Think Pink Day raised a massive total of £6,216 for the Breast Care Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. Over £2,000 was raised with the auction of the match worn shirts alone. The amount is nearly double that which was raised at the first Think Pink event last season. Bucket collections, limited edition t-shirts and other activities helped boost the funds on the day.

Hospital events co-ordinator Kathy Kenney told the Chester Chronicle: “We were overwhelmed by everybody’s generosity on Saturday and were delighted to raise more than £1,500 from the bucket collection.”

“This combined with £2,000 raised from the shirt auction and other fundraising activities that took place before and on the day means that we are expecting to raise in total around £5,000 for our breast care unit.”

• More pictures

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