News from Deva Stadium Ocober 2016

28 October 2016
HONOUR FOR YOUNG
Treble championship winning manager Neil Young will be inducted into the clubs Hall of Fame at Saturday’s home game against Lincoln City (kick-off 15.00hrs). Young was appointed manager when the club reformed in May 2010 and led the Blues to the Evo-Stik League Division One North title in his first year. This was followed 12 months later with the Northerh Premier League title and the Conference North championship was achieved the following season. Young also managed the club to three cup successes including a first Cheshire Senior Cup win for 81 years.

26 October 2016
SIX GAME BAN FOR GEORGE

Captain Luke George has been handed a six match ban by the FA having been found guilty of violent conduct relating to an incident at the game against Gateshead on the opening day of the season. The ban was originally for eight matches but was reduced after an appeal by Chester. The exact nature of the incident, which is denied by George, hasn't been revealed by the FA but is reported to possibly be an accusation of biting an opponent.

The club have issued the following statement: “Chester FC has co-operated fully with the FA during an investigation, hearing and subsequently successful appeal following an allegation made against club captain, Luke George. This was a very complicated process but essentially – despite the success of our appeal – Luke still received a ban for violent conduct.”

“Chester FC is a community club and will at all times protect the principles associated with that status and so from the very beginning we carefully studied all of the available evidence before deciding as a board to fully support Luke in his defence of the charge and the appeal.”

“We are disappointed with the outcome but respect the process. We will continue to support Luke George who has conducted himself appropriately throughout this difficult time we are proud to have him as our club captain.”

INJURIES MOUNT FOR BLUES
Both Ross Killock, making his first appearance of the season following a long lay-off with a hamstring injury, and Theo Vassell limped off during last night's 0-0 draw at Macclesfield Town. An injury to Liam Roberts also meant a debut in goal for Alex Lynch with the youngster making several good saves to keep he hosts as bay.

The Silkmen had the better of the chances on the night, hitting the woodwork on three occasions, but the Blues defence, marshaled by the outstanding Ryan Astles held firm to extend their unbeaten league run to nine matches.

• League Table after Macclesfield match

24 October 2016
FA YOUTH CUP
Following their 8-0 victory at Newcastle Benfield in the second qualifying round, Chester have been drawn at home to Fleetwod Town in the FA Youth Cup. The first round match will take place on Wednesday 2 November, kick-off 19.00hrs. Admission: adults £3.00, concessions £1.00.

LAST GASP RICHARDS GOAL SEALS POINT
A stoppage time equaliser from Kane Richards ensured Chester came away with a point after a dominating display at York on Saturday. The Blues should have probably come away with all three points after creating a number of chances in the second half and being denied a penalty late on following a foul on Ryan Lloyd.

The home side took the lead on 70 minutes with Matt Fry heading home from a corner. Elliott Durrell and James Alibi both saw chances missed and Richards his a post as Chester pressed for the final 15 minutes with the excellent Craig Mahon creating much. Their reward finally came in the 91st minute as Lloys's cross was headed home by Richards to the delight of the away following of over 550 supporters.

• League Table after York match

18 October 2016
CUP EXIT FOR BLUES

Chester’s seven game unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Southport in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup. The only goal of the game came with a deflected shot on 32 minutes from Dominic Weeks that gave goalkeeper Liam Robinson no chance.

The Blues created little throughout the first half to trouble Nolan in the home goal, and it wasn’t until the latter stages of the game that they pressed the home goal with substitute’s Jordan Chapell and Oluwaseun Akintunde both seeing efforts saved.

Manager Jon McCarthy said following the defeat: “It is an important competition for us as a football club and can be really important financially. We got ourselves into a position where we got our fans excited about their football club once again and they have turned up in numbers, real big numbers.”

“I wanted to keep that going, I wanted them to see their team at their best and and they saw them at the worst they have been in eight games. It was a massively disappointed dressing room. To generate that level of support and for them to see that we are all disappointed.”

“I do have to couple that with the fact that this side has conceded one goal in eight games. One deflected goal. Although we weren't happy with the performance we have to put it in to some kind of context.”

Chester will be looking to carry on the fine league form that led to them lying just four point from a play-off spot when they visit York City on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

14 October 2016
GOALKEEPER SIGNS
Chester have signed 21-year-old goalkeeper Alex Lynch from Bala Town. Lynch has played for Wales at under-17 and under-19 level and made four first team appearances previously with Wycombe Wanderers.

10 October 2016
LLOYD GOAL EXTENDS RUN
A first half goal from Ryan Lloyd gave Chester a 1-0 home victory over Torquay United on Saturday. Lloyd was first to react to follow up an Elliott Durrell penalty that was saved low down by Brendan Moore in the Gulls goal, slotting the ball home from a narrow angle. The spot kick had been awarded after Oluwaseun Akintunde had sent Craig Mahon through on goal only for the midfielder to be fouled by Joe Ward. Despite the victory Chester dropped a place to 11th on goal difference.

The Blues take a break from the league on Saturday with a Fourth Qualifying Round FA Cup match at Southport. The Sandgrounders lie bottom of the division and are managed by former Blues boss Steve Burr.

5 October 2016
AKINTUNDE GOAL SEALS WIN

Chester kept up their fine current run of form with a hard fought 1-0 victory at North Ferriby United last night. Oluwaseun Akintunde scored the only goal of the game 15 minutes from time latching onto a through ball from Johnny Hunt and beating the home ‘keeper Rory Watson in a one-on-one.

The Villagers had the better of the opening half twice going close to opening the scoring through loan player Kyle Wootton, and Liam Roberts also pulled off a great save to deny Danny Clarke in the opening period. United were reduced to ten men 20 minutes into the second period with Ben Middleton receiving a second yellow card following a foul on Kane Richards.

James Alabi and Theo Vassell both missed good chances to double the lead late on but the Blues held firm to record another three points that lifts them to tenth place in the league.

• League Table after North Ferriby match

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

3 October 2016
FA CUP DRAW
Chester have been drawn away to Southport in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. The Sandgrounders are of course now managed by Steve Burr. The game will take place on Saturday 15 October.

CFU ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The date for the AGM is Friday 7 October at the football club. There will be a streaming service available for members to watch proceedings if they are unable to attend on the evening. Please email neil.bellis@chesterfc.com to register for log-in details. All relevent paperwork for the meeting has been emailed out to members, those who haven't received anything should email marion.needham@chesterfc.com.

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