29 November 2021
BLUES EXIT TROPHY
Chester were knocked out of the FA Trophy 2-1 at Curzon Ashton on Saturday. Interim manager Danny Livesey took charge of his first match and made three changes to the side disappointingly beaten at home by Guiseley in midweek. In came Matty Williams, James Horsfield and Luke Clark, replacing Simon Grand, Josh Askew and Paddy Lacey.

George Glendon and Dan Cowan had both gone close before the Blues took the lead just before half time with loanee Charlie Jolley heading home Kevin Roberts’ right wing cross.

Ten minutes into the second half substitute Jack McKay equalised for The Nash following a quick breakaway from a Chester corner. Ex-Blue Matty Waters spurned a chance to put the home side ahead when his penalty, given following a foul by Cowan, was well saved low down by Louis Gray.

Chester saw several set-piece efforts narrowly miss the target as they pushed for a goal. Three minutes from time through Curzon scored the winner as Gray punched Craig Mahon’s corner up in the air and only out to Adam Thomas who fired home over a crowd of players.

Picture © Rick Matthews

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Joint manager’s Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have today left the club. Last night’s 0-1 home defeat by Guiseley proved to be their last game in charge after 3½ years at Deva Stadium.

The pair arrived at the Deva in May 2018 after Chester had been relegated from the National League. Their first season saw the Blues miss out on the play-off’s by just three points, and when their second season was curtailed by the pandemic they were awarded a sixth place finish, on points per game, which saw them narrowly beaten at Altrincham in the semi-final play-off.

This season has proved disappointing though, the home form isn't too bad but the Blues are without a win away from the Deva and last night’s home defeat to Guiseley, who sat second from bottom, proved to be their swan song.

The club have today issued the following statement:

“Chester Football Club can confirm that the club has parted company with co-managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley.

Having been appointed in May 2018, Anthony and Bernard depart the Deva Stadium after three-and-a-half-years in charge and with our very best wishes.

We want to place on record our appreciation for their significant contribution on and off the field in that time, and for immersing themselves in our unique football club.

The pair arrived following relegation from the National League in 2017/18 and worked tirelessly to rebuild the team while also helping to re-energise our fan base.

They guided the Blues to a 9th place finish in their first campaign, just three points off the National League North play-off places.

In 2019/20 the Blues finished 6th on points-per-game after the season was curtailed and were edged out in a play-off eliminator at Altrincham, and last season sat third in the table before the season was declared null and void in January.

Unfortunately results and performances this season have not met expectations and we feel now is the right time to make a change to give us the best possible chance of improving our league position.

Danny Livesey, who is a UEFA B licenced coach, will take charge of the team for our upcoming fixtures and our collective focus now is on preparing for Saturday’s FA Trophy tie at Curzon Ashton.

The parting of the waves with Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley came on the back of two straight defeats. Saturday saw a 1-0 loss at Hereford, after an even first half in which Chester marginally shaded it, the Bulls stepped up in the second period putting the Blues under pressure ad creating several chances before taking a 72nd minute lead. Chester threw on their attacking options and found the net twice only for the two goals be be chalked off for offside and a foul.

Last night the Blues were second best to a side that has only won twice this season. Indeed it took a man-of-the-match performance from goalkeeper Louis Gray to keep the score line down and give the Blues some hope until the final whistle. The only goal of the game came on 69 minutes, once that had gone in Chester again reverted to throwing on a couple of attacking options but were unable to draw level with Brad Wade in the Lions goal saving a couple of late efforts.

The Blues are in FA Trophy action on Saturday when Danny Livesey will take charge of team matters for the first time as the Blues travel to Curzon Ashton, kick-off 15.00hrs.


Picture © Rick Matthews

Gary Moore, a member of the 1974/75 promotion side that also reached the last four of the League Cup, has sadly passed away at the age of 76. In two seasons at Sealand Road Gary made 43 league appearances and scored four goals but will best be remembered for scoring the second equaliser in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final against Aston Villa that finished 2-2. • Obituary

Two goals in the final six minutes from Kevin Roberts (pictured) and Josh Askew earned Chester a 2-2 draw at home to Darlington on Saturday. The point keeps the Blues in 13th place in the league, with the game played in front of the highest home gate of the season 2,357.

The Quakers started the better of the two sides and took the lead on 27 minutes through Jake Cooper who headed home at the far post following a corner. Louis Gray made made two great saves to keep the score at 0-1 before Darlo doubled their lead on the hour mark with the lively Jake Cassidy scoring from close range after Louis Gray had parried a Jack Lambert effort.

With time running out, Anthony Dudley saw an effort his the post, but with six minutes remaining Roberts met a Declan Weeks corner to pull a goal back and two minutes later Roberts turned provider himself as his cross found Askew to head Chester level in front of the delighted Harry McNally Terrace.


Picture © Rick Matthews

• League table after this match

Chester produced their best performance of the season in beating high-flying Boston United 4-0 on Saturday. The Pilgrims, who finished the game with nine men, had goalkeeper Peter Crook to thank for some excellent saves in the first half to keep the Blues just 1-0 at the break courtesy Jack Redman who side footed home following neat approach play down the right from Anthony Dudley.

Boston were reduced to ten men early in the second half with Scott Duxbury picking up two yellow cards in as many minutes. Things got worse for the visitors soon after as ex-Blue Danny Elliott was also dismissed for a second yellow. Chester capitalised on this with Matty Williams doubling the lead on 71 minutes converting George Glendon’s cross. The Blues added a third with a sublime finish from on-loan Charlie Jolley on 79 minutes and substitute Darren Stephenson completed the rout with the fourth goal four minutes from time.

Manager Anthony Johnson was full of praise for his 20-year-old striker Jolley telling the Chester Chronicle: “He was brilliant. I talked last week about him being young and fearless and making runs. If am a striker and have George Glendon, Declan Weeks and Paddy Lacey in my team then, as soon as their head goes down, then I am making a run in behind because I know they are going to find me. That is what we saw, especially with Charlie’s goal. As soon as Dec’s head went down to the ball, Charlie knew he would play that pass in behind the defence.”

Chester are in action at home again on Saturday when Darlington visit Deva Stadium, kick-off 15.00hrs. The two sides have already met twice this season in the FA Cup with Chester winning the home replay in September thanks to a late James Hardy goal.


Picture © Rick Matthews

• League table after this match