Midfielder Andy Burgess no longer features in manager Neil Young’s plans and has been made available for transfer. Burgess has been unable to command a regular place in the side this season making 6+2 appearances though has missed some games through injury. Manager Young said: “I’ve had a good chat with him and we’ve both agreed the best way forward. Andy has had to adjust from full time to part time football and he has shown a lot of ability on the ball. But he wanted total football which I couldn’t guarantee and he has been transfer-listed.” Picture © Evening Leader

Chester got back to winning ways at home with a 3-0 victory over Lancaster City on Saturday. Iain Howard did the damage with two goals in the opening 20 minutes and Kyle Wison sealed the three points adding the third after the break. All three goals were set up by Michael Wilde.

There was another great crowd with over 2,400 turning out on what was designated ‘Think Pink Day’ as the club hosted a series of events to support the Breast Care Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The total amount raised on the day was a fantastic £3,269.43.

Manager Neil Young handed a debut to midfielder Antoni Sarcevic (pictured), and although the player had a great game, he saw red in the dying minutes after picking up a second yellow card and now faces a one match ban in a couple of weeks.

Young, happy with the performance of the team said: “I thought we played really well against Lancaster and the lads did everything that was asked of them and on another day we probably would and should have had more goals. From my point of view though, that is the way we want the lads to play with a hunger to get the ball back and then use it correctly, creating plenty of chances and restricting Lancaster to very little.”

Chester have completed the loan signing of 18-year-old midfielder Antoni Sarcevic from Crewe Alexandra. Manager Neil Young had an eye on the player for some time and said: �Antoni will be an excellent addition to the squad and has everything that I have been looking for to add to our midfield. Antoni was excellent for Woodley last year and obviously that was shown with Crewe signing him towards the end of last season. ”

“I’m as much a football romantic as anyone, but it hasn’t worked on the two occasions we’ve tried to pass around teams, so we’ll be a bit more direct and hopefully the ingredients I’ll be bringing in – and that’s more midfielders with good legs to win second balls and get about the pitch – will help make it work.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the club have designated tomorrow Think Pink Day, as they support the Breast Care Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

You can pick up a Chester FC ‘Think Pink’ t-shirt on the day for just £5 from the Club Shop. The players will also be sporting these in their pre-match warm-up. The club are encouraging all supporters to come along wearing something pink and there will be various other pink-themed events taking place during the day in and around the ground.

There will also be a raffle held, tickets are just £1 and will be available from from one of the ladies who will be volunteering from the Countess of Chester Hospital. Prizes include:

Chester manager Neil Young is hoping to secure the loan services of Crewe Alexandra 18-year-old midfielder Antoni Sarcevic. Young told the Chester Chronicle: “I think we’ve been a bit lacklustre in midfield. We’ve not stamped our authority on games and got about people as much as I would have liked.”

Sarcevic joined the Railwaymen in the summer from Woodley Sports and comes highly recommended by Dario Gradi.

Gradi commented: “Antoni is doing fine. He gets goals, his finishing is very good, he strikes the ball well, picks his spot and knows what he is doing. He’ll be a match-winner, his scoring ability is excellent and he is getting strong. He is definitely one for the future.”

Young has also moved to sign another young player on loan, Colwyn bay striker Alex Titchener.

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Manager Neil Young has promised changes to the squad following Saturday’s disappointing draw against next-to-bottom side Leigh Genesis. The Blues had once again struggled to break down a defensive rearguard, and when they did, found the Genesis goalkeeper Adam Judge in inspired form.

More often than not the final ball into the box throughout the afternoon either fell short and was gathered with ease by Judge.

Chester’s home form, just two points from the last nine on offer, is in stark contrast to the displays on their travels where they have won six and drawn just one of their league and cup matches.

“It’s not the first this has happened so I am not over-exaggerating when I say that certain people will have to be replaced. I’m not going over the top – this is my job and I’m not prepared to put my neck on the line for those sorts of performances.”

Michael Wilde scored his second hat-trick of the season on Saturday; his second-half treble helped the Blues cruise to a 4-1 win at Harrogate Railway Athletic and move them second in the league three points behind leaders Chorley. Chester were handed the lead in the 52st minute as Dan Thirkell diverted a Tom Field cross into his own net. Wilde struck in the 66th, 74th and 84th minutes to cement the victory, Chester’s fifth away from home on the run. The home side were given a glimmer of hope at 3-0 as Thirkell converted a penalty following a foul from George Horan. • League table Picture © Evening Leader

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Captain George Horan scored a last gasp winner at Wincham Park last night just as it looked like the Blues had thrown away two points. Chester dominated for the majority of the match against Witton Albion and took a two goal lead into the last minute thanks to goals from Michael Wilde and Bradley Barnes. But two defensive lapses in stoppage time led to a remarkable comeback by the hosts to level matters.

But, as the game entered the fourth minute of stoppage time, Horan rose to head and shoulders above everyone else to head home Iain Howard’s whipped in corner to spark scenes of chaotic celebration amongst the huge away following that had made the short trip across the County.

Following

Manager Neil Young has hinted that there will be changes to the side that play Cheshire neighbours Witton Albion on Tuesday night. The Blues boss was disappointed following Saturday’s home 1-1 draw with Prescot Cables that saw them lose valuable ground on leaders Chorley who won again. One player already likely to be ruled out through a hamstring injury is Chris Williams.

It took an equaliser ten minutes from time from Bradley Barnes (pictured) to earn Chester a point after the visitors had opened the scoring 15 minutes earlier through an unmarked Aeron Rey who volleyed past Richard Whiteside. Chester remain in fourth position but are now eight points behind leaders Chroley, though they do have a game in hand.

“It was very frustrating, but I don’t think we did enough in the second half to win the game. There were too many stop-starts in the first half, but we enjoyed a lot of the ball and we passed it well, but Prescot kept a decent shape.

“I know that people have been crying out for wingers, but I thought we had enough of the ball when we brought the wingers on, but I don’t think it made much of a difference.

“I think at times we maybe have to go a bit more direct than we did. But one or two of our lads thought they could just turn up and the three points would be put in the bag, but you don’t just turn up in this league and win games.

“I thought we were a little bit more open in the second half, but that’s what happens when you put two wingers on. We went out to win the game but came away with a draw.”

Manager Neil Young has boosted his forward line with the signing of 24-year-old Kyle Wilson. The former FC United of Manchester striker may well feature in tomorrow’s home League match against Prescot Cables. Meanwhile on-loan striker Nick Rogan has returned to Fleetwood following his period with Chester.

Wilson scored 24 goals in 32 appearances last season for FCUM before joining League Two side Macclesfield Town where he made four appearances from the bench before returning to Manchester on loan where he netted a further four times in seven appearances. Wilson began his career as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra and has also had spells at Altrincham and Droylsden.

Tomorrow’s match was originally scheduled for the August bank holiday Monday, the first home match of the season, but was postponed due to the visitors’ FA Cup replay 24 hours later.