News from Deva Stadium November 2014

30 November 2014
BLUES PUNISHED FOR POOR DEFENDING
Two second half goals from substitute Graig Hobson couldn’t prevent Chester from being beaten 3-2 at Nuneaton Town on Saturday. For the third match on the run Chester fell two goals behind to their opponents but were unable on this occasion to draw level. On loan Borough goalkeeper Christian Dibble proved to be the man of the match making a series of crucial saves to deny Chester, who created plenty of chances but were unable

Goals from James Armson and Lee Fowler had given the home side a 2-0 lead in a couple of minutes midway through the first half. Hobson, pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half following a fine Rhys Oates cross. Chester pressed for the equaliser but on-loan Leicester City player Marcel Barrington found himself in plenty of space on a breakaway to put the home side 3-1 up.

Hobson converted from close range and although Chester put Dibble under a lot of pressure they were unable to find an equaliser.

Burr said: “We should have perhaps made it 2-2 just before Nuneaton got the third but I will always throw people forward to get back in the game and if it means leaving one-on-one at the back then we’ll do it, that’s the way I am and I’m not going to change that. We nearly got something out of it and I think overall maybe we perhaps deserved something.”

“Nuneaton have come on the back of a 5-0 beating and they’d have obviously have an ear bashing off Liam Daish so we knew they would come out of the traps pretty quickly but it doesn’t matter who you play in this division you’ve got to be at it. I’m not going to blame the goalkeeper or the back four, you defend as a team and we’ve got to do a lot better.”

26 November 2014
BLUES FIGHTBACK FOR THREE POINTS
Three goals in a second half ten minute spell saw Chester pick up three points from their trip to Dartford. The Blues already one down at the break conceded a second goal just after the restart as the home side took control of the match. However a short back pass gifted Craig Mahon a chance he duly converted and four minutes later a fine nine pass move saw Mahon add his second to draw the Blues level. Six minutes later Matty Hughes latched onto a headed Rhys Oates through ball to score from the edge of the box. Oates himself wrapped up the points four minutes from time controlling and converting a fine through ball from Craig Hobson.

• League table after Dartford game | All the goals [You Tube]

24 November 2014
BARNSLEY TICKETS
Advanced match tickets (at reduced rates) for the FA Cup match at Barnsley on Sunday 7 December (kick-off 14.00hrs) are available from the official Barnsley website. Prices are: Adults £10.00, Concession Over 65 £5.00, Concession 12-21 Years £5.00, Juvenile Under 12 £1.00. These prices are only available until 12 noon on Saturday 6 December 2014. Chester fans will be housed in the North Stand. Tickets are available from here.

23 November 2014
NEVER SAY DIE BLUES

Two goals in three second half minutes rescued a point for Chester on Saturday against Bristol Rovers, the Blues are now unbeaten in seven home matches. The Gas, with former Chester loan player Matty Taylor up front, had the better of the opening half but the introduction of Sean McConville at the break gave the Blues more space to work in during the second period.

Rovers took a two goal advantage through Nathan Blissett and Tom Parkes with a little over 30 minutes remaining. A great save from Jon Worsnop denied Lyle Della-Verde from adding a third before Rhys Oates pulled a goal back, converting from a Craig Mahon cross.

Three minutes later Matty Hughes was on hand to head home after a McConville effort had been deflected into his path. Both sides created chances in the final 20 minutes but both had to be content wit a share of the points.

Chester are back in action on Tuesday night when they make the long trip to Dartford, kick-off 19.45hrs. That game is followed by another trip on Saturday when they travel to Nuneaton Town, kick-off 15.00hrs.

• League table after Bristol Rovers game

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

20 November 2014
LINCOLN DATE
The rearranged home league game against Lincoln City, postponed due to the FA Cup second round match, will now take place on Tuesday 20 January, kick-off 19.45hrs.

16 November 2014
ROONEY STRIKE SEALS WIN

A John Rooney special brought three points from Saturday’s entertaining match against a good Gateshead side. Rooney struck on 68 minutes with a powerful shot from the edge of the area that gave Adam Bartlett in the Heed goal no chance.

Chester had their own ‘keeper Jon Worsnop to thank for a breathtaking save in the dying minutes to deny substitute Jon Shaw an equaliser from close range. The victory lifted Chester back into 14th spot ahead of next Saturday’s home clash with Bristol Rovers.

A delighted manager Steve Burr said: “It was a great finish from John but that’s what he’s capable of doing. That’s the type of quality he can bring to a game and I’m really delighted to get the three points because I think Gateshead are the best side I’ve seen this season.”

“Both sides want to play out from the back and try to start with the ball and finish with the ball ending up in the back of the net. Gateshead are a good side and we had to do things tactically at half time to nullify their three in the middle and I thought it worked very well for us.”

• League table after Gateshead game

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

14 November 2014
BARNSLEY DATE
The FA Cup second round match at Barnsley will take place on Sunday 7 December, kick-off 14.00hrs.

12 November 2014
CHESTER RUE MISSED CHANCES
The Blues were beaten 3-1 at Macclesfield Town last night. Despite creating a host of chances and missing a penalty when the score was 0-0, two goals in the final five minutes of the first half gave The Silkmen the edge and they extended their lead to 3-0 soon after the restart. Ben Heneghan pulled a goal back for Chester on 54 minutes and loan players Rhys Oates and Josh O’Keefe both came off the bench for their debuts in the second half, but Chester were unable to beat home ‘keeper Rhys Taylor who produced a series of fine saves to deny Chester for the remainder of the match.

• League table after Macclesfield game

ENGLAND CALL FOR JAMES

Midfielder Kingsley James has been called up for the England C Squad to face Estonia U23s in an International Challenge Trophy game to be played on Tuesday 18 November at The Shay in Halifax. James joined Chester from Hereford United on a one year deal in the summer and has been an ever-present so far this season.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

11 November 2014
DUO SIGN ON LOAN
Chester have signed two players on loan in time for tonight’s match at Macclesfield Town. Striker Rhys Oates has signed from Barnsley until 20 December while midfielder Josh O’Keefe has signed from Kidderminster Harriers on a two month loan deal.

10 November 2014
AWAY TRIP FOR CHESTER
Chester have been drawn away to League One side Barnsley in the second round of the FA Cup. The match will be played over the weekend of 5-8 December. Barnsley thrashed Burton Albion 5-0 at home on Saturday in the first round in front of a crowd of 5,158.

BLUES THROUGH TO ROUND TWO

Chester created one of the FA Cup shocks of the weekend when they knocked League Two side Southend United out 2-1 at Roots Hall.

Just over 300 Blues fans made the trip to Essex and they were rewarded with the opening goal after just five minutes as Ben Heneghan headed home Peter Winn’s right wing free kick.

A foul by John Rooney on John White saw the home side equalise through Barry Corr from the penalty spot.

Six minutes after the break a Heneghan pass set up Craig Mahon who fired home from the edge of the box to give the Blues a lead they held onto until full-time. It capped a memorable weekend for Mahon whose wife gave birth to twins the day before.

Following the victory manager Steve Burr said: “To get ourselves in front and then have the setback of a penalty, it was a clear cut penalty, I thought it was going to be difficult for us but we showed a lot of character and it’s great to get through and again it was a great following from the supporters.”

“I think it was about hard work and determination to get through along with some good passing. I thought we played well and I thought we moved the ball about well. They closed us down quickly and it’s harder then to move the ball but I thought it was a really good performance.”

The draw for the second round will take place live tonight on BBC2 at 19:00hrs, The Chester ball is number 24.

• Match highlights | More pictures

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

7 November 2014
EXTENDED STAY FOR TOURAY
On-loan Everton defender Ibou Touray has had his loan period extended until the end of the season.

5 November 2014
HUGHES LOAN EXTENDED
Chester have extended the loan of striker Matty Hughes for another month. The Fleetwood Town played has proved a hit with three goals in five matches but was sent-off in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Eastleigh and will now receive a three match ban. The club have stated that they will not be appealing against the red card decision.

Manager Steve Burr said: “I’m delighted that Matty Hughes is staying with us for another month as he has made a big difference in his time with us. Both Matty and Fleetwood are happy for him to stay here, which is great news for us. He has given us the movement and a bit more up front, much like Matty Taylor did for us during his loan spell here last season.”

3 November 2014
CHESHIRE CUP EXIT
A young Chester side were knocked out of the Cheshire Senior Cup in the Preliminary Round 3-1 at North West Counties League side Runcorn Town. Ibou Touray scored the consolation goal for Chester in the second half.

Chester: Roberts, Disney, Touray, Harrison, Morris, Savin (K.Evans 46), Menagh, Riley, Peers, Blake, Greenop. Subs not used: S.Hughes, Christopher, J.Evans, Soarisbrick.

1 November 2014
HUGHES SENT-OFF AS BLUES CRASH AT EASTLEIGH
Striker Matty Hughes was sent-off as Chester scored two late goals in losing 3-2 at Eastleigh on Saturday. The Hampshire side were the better of the two in the opening half and went ahead through Ben Strevens on 25 minutes before Hughes and the home side’s Dean Beckwith were sent off. Stuart Fleetwood doubled Eastleigh’s advantage on the hour mark from the penalty spot before McAllister made it 3-0 five minutes later. Sean McConville pulled a goal back for Chester on 78 minutes while Kingsley James made it 3-2 in added time.

Manager Steve Burr said: “Eastleigh haven't lost at home all season, they are a strong side with experienced players who have played Conference football and Football League experience so we know how difficult it was going to be but I was pleased how we kept going.”

“ Our lads never give up and our fitness levels are good and we’ve showed that again. We never know it’s over until the final whistle and we keep going and as I say perhaps with a little bit more care with our finishing we’d have not just got a point but maybe three points.”

• League table after Eastleigh game

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