Match reports from November 2024

Saturday 30 November
Warrington Town 1 Chester 1
National League North
Attendance: 2,296 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Weeks.

Warrington Town: Atherton, Douglas, Gumbs, Harris, Woods (Rodwell-Grant 90), McDonald, Dixon, McCourt (Amis 66), Morris, Hont, Clarke. Subs not used: O’Neill, Bennett, Miles.
Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Roberts (Willoughby 80), Weeks, Hugill (Hancox 84), Murray (Daly 58), Caton, Peers (Mottley-Henry 66). Subs not used: Pollock.
Referee: D.Jones.

A late Harrison Burke equaliser rescues a point for Chester.

Picture © Rick Matthews

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Tuesday 26 November
Chester 3 Oxford City 1
National League North
Attendance: 1,553 Half Time: 2-0
Booked: Hunter.

Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Weeks (Murray 90+1), Rawlinson, Peers (Willoughby 88), Caton (Hancox 81), Woodthorpe, Hugill, Daly (Mottley-Henry 70), Roberts. Sub not used: Pollock.
Oxford City: Macaulay, Burley (Stirland 46), Ashby, Jones, Coyle, McEachran, Parker, Scott, Potter (Andrews 66), Walsh (Carbon 77), Drewe. Subs not used: Croker, Roddy.
Referee: Jonathan Chadwick.

On a bitterly cold evening with the mist threatening to roll in off the River Dee, Chester secured their second home win in three days, this time against Oxford City. Prior to the kick off an impeccable one minute’s silence was observed in memory of five members of the Chester FC family who had died in the last week.

The visitors lined up in all lime green kit – resembling a team of goalkeepers. But any concern that they were going to be overly defensive was dispelled as they played out from the back and pinged the ball out to either wing with alacrity. Playing out from the back proved to be their early undoing however as they were caught by Chester’s press and Daly passed the ball through to Peers to open the scoring. Earlier Caton had latched on to a long clearance from Woodthorpe and rounded the keeper, only to scuff his shot with the goal beckoning.

Peers might have added another soon after his first when he intercepted a sloppy Oxford pass to bear down on goal. His shot beat the keeper but cannoned back into play off the foot of the post. The Blues may have been rueing this miss after half an hour when Josh Parker headed a corner down towards goal – only to see it bounce over the bar. But, after a lengthy spell of possession, Hunter’s ball in from the right found Peers on the corner of the penalty area. Peers held off his marker, turned and shot into the far corner, beyond the dive of Macaulay in the Oxford goal.

So Chester went in at the break with a two goal lead but in the second half they ceded possession and control to the visitors who worked hard to get back into the game. They were encouraged after five minutes when Jones, head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch, powered in a header at the neat post from a corner.

Oxford continued to dominate without threatening until a long ball out to the left from Jones reached Rice who nipped in between Hunter and Harrison to poke the ball into the net. As he did so however the referee’s whistle blew for offside and Chester could breathe again. Five minutes before the end Blues secured the win as Peers bagged his hat trick. Hunter nicked the ball off Brindle as he tried to play out and cut in to cross. Peers met it at the far post to claim the win and the match ball for the Blues who climbed into the play off places on the back of this result.

Colin Mansley

Picture © Rick Matthews

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Saturday 23 November
Chester 2 Chorley 1
National League North
Attendance: 2,075 (162 Chorley) Half Time: 1-0
Booked: Roberts, Hugill.

Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Roberts, Weeks (Pollock 90), Hugill, Daly (Murray 66), Caton (Mottley-Henry 76), Peers. Subs not used: Willoughby, Hancox.
Chorley: Urwin, Henley (Rice 77), Wilson, Smith, Calveley, Touray (Carr 75), Horbury, Eze, Blakeman (Bird 11), Clarke, Ormerod. Subs not used: Drench, Brindle.
Referee: Harry Jones.

Given last weekend’s disappointing exit from the FA Trophy, fans could be forgiven for wondering which Chester would turn up today against league leaders Chorley? The Blues’ squad was depleted further by the failure of the club’s appeal against Jack Bainbridge’s red card last week. But doubt were quickly allayed as Chester were on their game from the kick off and engineered a 2-1 victory with a convincing display.

Kevin Roberts more than adequately filled the Bainbridge-shaped hole at the base of midfield, with Hugill on the left and Weeks the right. Reece Daly started just behind the front two of Caton and Peers. The game soon developed an end to end character as both sides pressed forward.

Ormerod swung and missed at a ball over the top for the visitors whilst Burke won a towering header from Weeks’ corner which was easily held by Matt Urwin. A Chester attack was foiled by a last ditch tackle on Hugill which led to a counter by the Magpies involving Touray and Henley. When that foundered with a wayward pass, Woodthorpe’s pass launched Caton down the left. The Blues forward’s strong run ended with a pass into the box which was met by Peers. He deftly flicked the ball into the net to finish the move superbly and give Chester the lead.

Peers had a great chance to double his tally and City’s lead ten minutes later but could not direct his shot on target. Then Daly led another break but – with the confidence of youth – chose to shoot rather than pass to the well placed Peers and his shot was handsomely wide. Chester ended the half on the attack and Daly’s looping header was palmed over by Urwin in the Chorley goal.

City maintained the momentum after the break and, if anything, grew in dominance. Burke was next to see a header saved by the increasingly busy Urwin. The stalwart keeper was called into action yet again as the Blues swept forward and Daly’s dipping shot was parried away for another corner. Weeks’ inviting cross from the right was met majestically by Caton – who saw his header just under the crossbar once again thwarted by Urwin. The Magpies’ keeper was almost single-handedly keeping his side in the game.

But the visitors’ defence was finally breached when Murray was fouled on the right. Weeks swung in the resultant free kick to be met emphatically by Burke’s header and City had a two goal cushion.

With five minutes to go Chorley did manage to pull a goal back. It came almost out of nothing. An aggressive interception in midfield led to a shooting chance for Ormerod, his effort was parried by Harrison into the path of substitute Carr who swept it home to reduce the deficit. City however held firm and secured the win they richly deserved.

Colin Mansley

Saturday 16 November
Gainsborough Trinity 1 Chester 0
FA Trophy Round Two
Attendance: 753 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Peers.
Sent-off: Bainbridge.

Gainsborough Trinity: Wharton, Tuntulwana, Jackson, B.Johnson, Lancaster, Cogill, Stacey (Butroid 75), Helliwel, Clarke (McMenemy 90+5), Howe, Preston. Subs not used: Conway, Hornshaw, K.Johnson.
Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Pollock, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Murray (Turner 85), Weeks, Hugill (Caton 62), Peers, Willoughby (Hancox 74). Subs not used: Rawlinson, Glendon.
Referee: Liam Smith.

A goal three minutes from time knocked the Blues out of the FA Trophy at the first hurdle, and to make matters worse they saw Jack Bainbridge given a straight red card late in the game that will see the midfielder miss three matches through suspension.

It was a cagey opening with both sides looking to keep possession, Tom Peers saw an effort deflected wide on eight minutes in the first half opening of the tie. Chester grew into the game and Iwan Murray saw an effort cleared before home ‘keeper Dylan Wharton produced a fine save to deny Kurt Willoughby’s effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Chester were coping well with any threat form the Holy Blues during the opening period with Elyh Harrison forced into his first save of the match moments before half-time saving Bobby Johnson’s effort comfortably, and then dealing with a Declan Howe effort.

The home side started the second half brightly and only a fine save by Harrison denied Sisa Tuntulwana from opening the scoring, his shot being tipped over at full stretch by the Chester ‘keeper.

Tuntulwana had the ball in the net just before the hour mark but fortunately for the Blues referee Liam Smith had already blown his whistle for a foul in the build up.

With ten minutes to go Chester were reduced to ten men as Bainbridge was shown a straight red card for a high tackle.

The home side sensed that this could be their moment. Lewis Butroid saw an effort flash just wide, and, with two minutes remaining the finally broke the deadlock. A quick counter attack saw Javelle Clarke’s cross dropped by Harrison at the feet of HOwe who poked the ball home from close range to seal the tie.

Saturday 9 November
Needham Market 0 Chester 1
National League North
Attendance: 652 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Bainbridge, Hugill.

Needham Market: Garnham, Dye, Smith, Hammond, D.Morphew, Ingram, Allen, McGrath (Callum 90+3), Mills (Lay 85), Hunter, Lambe (Chambers 67). Subs not used: Fraser, K.Morphew.
Chester: Harrison, Burke, Weeks, Rawlinson, Peers, Caton (Murray 75), Woodthorpe, Hugill, Hancox (Willoughby 46), Bainbridge, Roberts. Subs not used: Glendon, Polllock, Daly.
Referee: Josh Crofts.

It took a goal from Harrison Burke four minutes from time to finally break the deadlock as Chester won this first meeting between the two sides at Bloomfields.

Declan Weeks returned to the starting X1 and the midfielder was soon in the action slipping a pinpoint through ball for Tom Peers only for the striker to shoot high over the crossbar, failing to trouble Marcus Garnham in the home goal.

As at Darlington in midweek, there were very few chances of note in the opening half with perhaps the best of them falling to Adam Mills but the home striker’s effort was well saved by Elyh Harrison.

The second half saw little goalmouth action at either end until a dramatic last five minutes saw the Blues take the lead as Weeks swung in a left wing corner and Burke rose head and shoulders over everyone to bury a header past Garnham to the delight of the travelling Blues fans behind the goal.

Moments later Garnham saw red after pushing over substitute Kurt Willoughby in the penalty area. The Marketmen brought on a substitute goalkeeper Danny Cullum who then with his first touch saved Willoughby’s resulting penalty kick.

It was to prove to be the final action of the game as the Blues late show saw them move up to ninth place. They take a break from the league next Saturday with a visit to Gainsborough Trinity in the second round of the FA Trophy.

Tuesday 5 November
Darlington 1 Chester 0
National League North
Attendance: 1,260 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Hugill, Burke.

Darlington: Jameson, Barrow, Lees, Forbes, Hatfield, Maskell, Main (Kelly 74), Flint, McGowan, Griffiths, Al-Shabeeb (Salkeld 80). Subs not used: Cornish, Rivers, Leesley.
Chester: Harrison, Burke, Rawlinson, Peers, Caton (Willoughby 65), Woodthorpe, Hugill, Pollock (Hunter 67), Hancox (Turner 78), Bainbridge, Daly (Murray 67). Sub not used: Roberts.
Referee: Declan Brown.

Following on from the fine victory over Hereford at the weekend Chester named an unchanged starting X1 for the visit to Blackwell Meadows to face Steve Watsons Darlington side in the first of four successive away matches.

There was little to show between the teams for the opening period in a match where goalmouth chances were very few and far between, with a Jack Bainbridge effort going wide early on. At the other end Elyh Harrison was untroubled in the Blues goal but for a save to deny Will Hatfield.

Chester’s best efforts were coming from set pieces with Reece Daly going close to opening the scoring from a free-kick on 32 minutes. Just before the break Mitch Hancox saw a long range effort saved by Peter Jameson diving at full stretch to push the ball out for corner.

Darlo started the second half brightly with a header from Main straight into Harrison’s hands. On 49 minutes Cedric Main opened the scoring as the Blues defence failed to clear a Kallum Griffiths cross from the right, the ball fell to Main who turned and shot under Harrison from eight yards.

Manager Calum McIntyre rang the changes making four substitutions midway through the second period as the Blues looked to get back into he game. Will Hugill’s mazy run saw the midfielder skip round several players but he was off balance when shooting and skied his left foot effort over the bar with Chester’s only real chance of note.

So in the end a disappointing result for Chester who, after a fairly even first half, couldn’t match that effort after the break. They will be looking to improve on Saturday when the travel to Needham Market for a first meeting between the two sides.

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Saturday 2 November
Chester 3 Hereford 0
National League North
Attendance: 2,398 Half Time: 1-0
Booked: Peers, Rawlinson, Bainbridge.

Chester: Harrison, Burke, Pollock, Rawlinson, Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Hancox, Hugill, Daly (Murray 74), Peers (Turner 90+3), Caton (Willoughby 83) Subs not used: Hunter, Roberts.
Hereford: Chapman, Hudson, Preston (D’Ath 64), Howkins, Bartley, Campbell, Babos (Deacon 72), Teixeira (Matwasa 64), Ceesay, Williams (Cowley 60), Rose (Tilt 79).
Referee: Gareth Thomas.

After a poor performance and defeat at Curzon Ashton last week all eyes were on the team sheet today. There were no Weeks or Glendon in the side or on the bench today but new loan signing Hugill started as did Reece Daly, recalled from his loan spell at Witton. Mitch Hancox also started in midfield.

Blues made a lightning start as Peers found Hugill on the right and the Burnley man’s superb cross from the by-line was met equally majestically by Caton’s header to give Chester the lead with less than a minute on the clock. It was the new beginning all had been craving. Hereford backed by a large and raucous travelling support then proceeded to dominate possession for a while. They tried constantly to breach City’s defence down the wings switching play to either side and to their touchline hugging wingers Rose and Ceesay. But the Blues kept a disciplined shape and defended well. Despite conceding a number of corners few clear-cut opportunities appeared for the Bulls.

As the half wore on Chester made more forward impression. Peers saw a shot deflected towards goal but Aaron Chapman managed to deal with it. Then on the stroke of half time City almost added a second when Peers’ lofted pass found Caton. Chapman partially saved the shot but the ball continued towards goal before a retreating defender scooped it off the line. From the resulting corner Pollock tried to force the ball home after another save from Peers by the Hereford ‘keeper but was blocked.

A second goal would have been vital at that point but the game continued in the balance after the break. Babos’s free kick had Harrison scrambling but was off target. Then, on the hour mark, the Blues combined down the left to great effect. A determined battle for the ball ended with Hancox’s clever turn and pass freeing Woothorpe down the wing. His first time cross was met exquisitely by Peers for a strong contender for goal of the season.

The Blues were on the front foot now and when Bainbridge held off a challenge to tee up Burke on the right, his cross was met by Caton for his second and Chester’s third goal of the match. The transformation in fortunes had been palpable. Hereford had arrived in good form with a strong following, while the Blues still licked their wounded pride from last weekend. But now City were rampant and the Bull’s bubble, along with their black and white balloons, was burst.

Aaron Chapman, formerly of this parish ten years ago, sportingly applauded the Harry Mac end at the final whistle and Hereford supporters appreciated their team’s efforts at the end despite the result. After a difficult week for Blues’ players, staff and supporters, all went home feeling a bit better. Tuesday’s visit to Darlington will test the strength of this City revival.

Colin Mansley

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