News from Deva Stadium September 2015

29 September 2015
LOAN STRIKER SIGNS
Chester have signed 19-year-old James Roberts on loan from Oxford United. Roberts moved to Oxford for the 2013/14 season from Wycombe Wanderers. Roberts is expected to make his debut in Saturday’s all-ticket derby match against Wrexham.

Manager Steve Burr told the Chester Leader: “I’m confident that James will fit into the Chester side and I’m planning to throw him straight into Saturday’s match. I watched him play for Oxford in a behind closed doors match a couple of weeks ago and he was a player that caught my eye. Oxford put a circular out to clubs on Monday saying that James was available for a loan deal and I was obviously interested. I was delighted to persuade James to come to Chester.”

Meanwhile Dale Tonge has left the club after making just 1+2 appeaarances this season after signing a short term contract from Torquay United in the summer.

28 September 2015
CLINICAL BROMLEY SINK BLUES
Chester’s inability to find the back of the net was exposed for all to see at Bromley on Saturday as the home side ran out 3-0 winners. All three goals came in the opening half with the Ravens scoring from their three chances. At the other end Chester squandered no less than 14 attempts on goal (and four more after the break) with Ross Hannah missing the best blasting over what would have been an equaliser from just six yards out.

Manager Steve Burr blamed defensive mistakes as well as missed opportunities for the latest defeat: “It’s hard to sum it up when you are 3-0 down at half time, but some of our defending was shocking. I thought we started the game okay, but the chances we created weren’t put away and we just weren’t good enough on the day. I’d like to think that everybody has had a fair opportunity but after Bromley’s first goal you could see the confidence drain out of us.”

“The mistake from Ben led to Bromley scoring their first goal and then we were 3-0 down at half time, but up to that point I thought we did okay - but okay is not going to get you anywhere.”

23 September 2015
INCONSISTENT BLUES
Chester’s inconsistent form continued with a 2-1 defeat at Welling United on Tuesday. The Blues’ inability this season to string together two good performances on the run has proved frustrating for manager Steve Burr who said: “Our inconsistency is a real problem for us at the moment. We play well against the likes of Eastleigh, Grimsby and Cheltenham and we then think we can come to a place like Welling and kick on but we have taken a step back again. We can’t continue being up and down like we are at the moment.”

Ross Hannah had hit the post before the Blues fell behind on the stroke of half-time as Reece Harris raced onto a through ball lobbed Jon Worsnop. Ricky Wellard doubled the lead 20 minutes form time following a goalmouth scramble.

Hannah scored a consolation goal in stoppage time following a cross from substitute Craig Mahon. The defeat sees Chester slip down to 15th in the table.

The Blues face another long trip on Saturday when they visit the in-form Bromley, the two sides have never met before. The Ravens, promoted as Conference South champions last season, have won their last five matches to move to eighth in the league.

• League Table after Welling match

21 September 2015
BLUES DUO TO MEET EXILES
Club chairman Grenville Millington and manager Steve Burr will be meeting the Exiles at their AGM this Friday 25th September at the Rugby Tavern (upstairs room), 19 Great James Street, London WC1N 3ES. The nearest tube stations are Holborn, Chancery Lane and Russell Square and it is not too far to walk from Kings Cross/St Pancras stations. Chester play at Bromley the following day.

The meeting will be 18.30 for 19.00hrs start. We will spend as little time as possible on the official AGM stuff and will invite Grenville and Steve Burr to join us in a Q&A from approx 20.00hrs onwards.

If you are travelling down to London on the Friday and would like to join in, could you email the Exiles committee on info@chesterexiles.co.uk so they will know approximately how many to expect!

19 September 2015
WREXHAM TICKETS
Tickets for the home game against Wrexham on Saturday 3 October (kick-off 14.00hrs) are now on sale at two tickets per person. The ticket office will open on Sunday September 20 from 10.00 to 16.00hrs, and also from Monday-Friday next week (also 10.00 to 16.00hrs).

Seating (East and West Stands)
Adults £18.00, Concession £12.00, 18-20 year old’s £10.00, 16-17 year old’s £5.00, 5-15 year old’s £3.00, Under 5’s/carer £Free.

Standing (Harry McNally Terrace)
Adults £15.00, Concession £10.00, 18-20 year old’s £10.00, 16-17 year old’s £5.00, 5-15 year old’s £3.00, Under 5’s/carer £Free.

Note: Concessions are: Senior Citizens / Students with NUS Card / Unemployed with proof of Unemployment / Armed Forces

Exiled supporters can purchase tickets by phone from Monday onwards, these can be collected from the ticket office on the day of the match.

17 September 2015
LATE GOAL MISERY FOR BLUES
An equaliser five minutes into stoppage time denied Chester all three points after an improved performance against Grimsby Town. Ex-Marriner Ross Hannah had given Chester the lead with a well taken penalty 17 minutes from time before Padraig Amond late late equaliser gave the visitors a point.

• League table after Grimsby match | Match pictures

16 September 2015
O’HANLON RETURNS SOUTH
Striker Josh O'Hanlon has returned to Bournemouth after this month long loan spell at Chester was ended early after two appearances. The return from injury of both Craig Hobson and Ross Hannah meant his chances of played were limited. Manager Steve Burr said: “He did okay for us but I think he didn’t really hit the ground running as we would have wanted him to. He’s a young lad but with Ross and Hobby back fit now he was surplus to requirements really. I didn’t want him hanging about and not being involved so he’s gone back.”

15 September 2015
BURR BLAMES DEFEAT ON MISTAKES
Manager Steve Burr blamed individual mistakes for Chester's disappointing defeat at Prenton Park on Saturday. Just over 1,500 Blues fans made the short trip to Tranmere but witnessed one of the clubs worst performances for a long time. Liam Hogan headed Tranmere into the lead after just five minutes after Jon Worsnop had failed to clear from a corner. James Norwood doubled the lead eight minutes before the break when he weaved his way unchallended through the Blues defence to slot the ball past Worsnop.

The Blues had a great chance to get back into the game 15 minutes from time after they were awarded a penalty for handball but John Rooney sent a weak penalty to goalkeeper Scott Davies’ left and he duly saved with the follow-up was also missed.

Burr said: “We give ourselves a mountain to climb with the two goals we conceded. I’m really disappointed with the first one. I expect my keeper to come and punch everything there. He said he was trying but he just couldn’t get over Ben Heneghan. I expect us to deal with that. It was a soft goal. We give the ball away just before that when Craig Mahon lost possession and the ball into the box we should have dealt with.”

“From a Tranmere point of view the second one where Norwood has gone through it’s a great goal but he started off just inside our half and we should have dealt with that. From their dugout it’s a good goal, from our dugout it’s a poor goal.”

“We had a few chances and we've got to take them. The penalty could have changed things and instead of giving us a lift when we were on top at that point, it’s given them a lift and those are defining moments in the game when you’ve got to take those chances.”

11 September 2015
INJURY SETBACK FOR BLUES
It’s reported that no fewer than five players are injured ahead of tomorrow’s match at Tranmere Rovers. Manager Steve Burr has said that Luke George, Dale Tonge, Kane Richards, Craig Hobson and Ross Hannah are all struggling to make the first league derby match between the two sides for a generation.

George who scored his first goal for the Blues against Forest Green Rovers last week injured a thigh and may be out for the rest of the month, he played under Tranmere manager, and former Chester City player, Gary Brabin at Southport and said: “Being the type of person I am, it’s gutting to miss any game and I’ll be pulling my hair out watching but the most important thing for me is to get fit and back on the pitch. There are huge games coming up with Wrexham and Southport, which is a big one for me personally, so I’m focused on them.”

Both Kane and Hannah have hamstring problems, Tonge has a rib injury and Hobson has turned his ankle.

Chester skipper Ian Sharps made over 170 appearances for Preston and is looking forward to the clash against his former club. He told the Chester Leader: “I spent a long time at Tranmere and it was a great place to play football.”

“I’m certainly looking forward to going back there and seeing a few people who are probably still there working behind the scenes because Tranmere is a close knit club. I’m sure Tranmere will be up for the game after only taking two points from their last four games, but so will we.”

Supporters of both clubs are invited to a Fan Zone pre-match from 12.30 which is situated in a large marquee in the directors car park. Kids families and fans of all ages are welcome and there is a free hog roast for the first 100 fans of each side. There will be a full bar, DJ, face painting and screening of the lunchtime Everton v Chelsea match as well.

6 September 2015
BATTLING BLUES BEATEN BY LEADERS

Forest Green Rovers set a new Conference Premier record when they notched their eighth successive victory from the start of the season at Chester on Saturday. The Gloucestershire side ran out 2-1 winners over the Blues with Luke George scoring his first goal of the club with a fine diving header midway through the second period to cancel out Elliott Frear’s opening goal for the visitors. Greens substitute Aaron O’Connor scored the winning goal 14 minutes from time to deny Chester a point.

Despite the defeat manager Steve Burr praised the efforts of his players who edged the second half and could well have got something from the match, he said: “I’m always disappointed when we lose but I was pleased at how we played, particularly in the second-half. I thought we had a right go at them and it was just the difference in the finishing because they put their two chances away.”

“We’re all down because we haven’t won but the progress that we’re making I’m very pleased with. The lads are down because they always expect more of themselves but I could see good signs and if we can maintain performances like that through the season then I’d like to think we won’t be too far away.”

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

1 September 2015
STRIKER SIGNS ON LOAN
Chester have signed 19 year-old striker Josh O’Hanlon on a one month loan from Bournemouth, he has yet to make any appearances for the Premier League side. O’Hanlon began his career in 2013 with League of Ireland side Longford Town before joining The Cherries in January 2014. He has since played for Oxford City, Poole Town and York City on loan.

CHESTER HELD AT HOME
Chester conceded an equaliser six minutes from time as they were held at home by Guiseley in their Bank Holiday fixture. The Blues have slipped down to eighth in the table as a result. Ross Hannah missed the match through injury and the forward options were further depleted with an injury that saw Craig Hobson leave the field injured midway through the first half. John Rooney opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 65 minutes following a goal mouth handball. Guiseley drew level through Adam Boyes who scored at the second attempt. Boyes almost grabbed the winner forcing a fine save rom Jon Worsnop in the dying minutes.

• League Table after Guiseley match

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