News from Deva Stadium August 2016

Former Chester centre half, Reg Matthewson, has died at the age of 77 while on holiday in Spain. Reg was captain of the legendary 1974/75 team that won promotion from Division Four and reached the semi-final of the League Cup. He made 87 league appearances for the club scoring one goal. Although the Yorkshireman was coming to the end of his playing career when he joined Chester his calm presence and organisational ability proved to be a great asset to one of the most successful teams in the club's history.

• Obituary

30 August 2016
BAN FOR HORWOOD
Evan Horwood’s booking for dissent at Woking was his fifth yellow card in six matches and the FA website confirms he will receive a one match ban against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

The Blues put in a disappointing performance at Woking with thee home side recording their first win of the season 3-1. Ryan Lloyd was once again on the scoresheet for the Blues drawing Chester level after they’d conceded a Kieran Murtagh goal on 17 minutes. But parity lasted just two minutes before Joey Jones headed the Cards in front again. The points were wrapped up 15 minutes from time as Chiegozie Ugwu scored a third for Woking.

• League Table

28 August 2016
HOME VICTORY OVER SUTTON
Two goals in the opening seven minutes set Chester up for a 4-0 home victory over Sutton United on Saturday. Blaine Hudson and Ryan Lloyd gave the Blues that early advantage and a couple of fine saves in goal from the recalled Jon Worsnop either side of half-time maintained the two goal cushion. The game was sealed six minutes from time as Tom Shaw squeezed home a penalty following a foul on Kane Richards, and Richards himself completed the scoring in added time following a short free-kick.

An injury to Theo Vassell saw the player receive ten minutes of treatment before being stretchered off with concussion, he’s expected to be out of action for ten days.

Chester make the trip to Surrey on Monday when they play Woking, kick-off 15.00hrs. The Cards have had a slow start to the season currently sitting next to bottom, their only point of the campaign coming from a 2-2 draw at Solihull Moors.

The Blues should have James Alibi available following his three match suspension.

• League Table | Match pictures

24 August 2016
WONDER STRIKE SECURES POINT

A moment of brilliance eight minutes from time from midfielder Elliott Durrell (pictured) ensured Chester came away from Boreham Wood with a point from a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Chester had conceded a fifth minute goal through Morgan Ferrier and struggled to create anything in the opening half with home ‘keeper Grant Smith having nothing to do! It was much the same in the second period before Durrell, who replaced Jordan Chapell midway through the second period, spotted Smith off his line and lobbed him with an effort from the half-way line.

Durrell told the Chester Chronicle: “I saw him off his line a phase of play before that and I wasn’t in a position to let loose but I’ve challenged their full back as the ball has come out and I knew he was too far off his line to make it back if I got it right and it was one of those that you take all day long.”

Chester remain in 19th spot and host high-flying Sutton United on Saturday (kick-off 15.00hrs). This is the first meeting with the U’s in any competition with the Surrey side having won the Conference South last season. They currently lie in third place in the league with ten points from five games including a fine 3-1 victory on their travels at Lincoln City.

The Blues could be without James Akintunde who injured a hamstring in the pre-match warm up at Boreham Wood last Saturday. Luke George and Ross Killock both played in a friendly against Port Vale this week with George a possible contender for a squad place on Saturday.

• League Table | More pictures

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

WREXHAM TICKETS
Details of the ticket arrangements for the forthcoming away game at Wrexham on Saturday 24 September have been released. The game has a 12.15 kick-off.

Tuesday 23 August, 10.00 to 16.00hrs tickets will go on sale to Season Ticket Holders only (You will need Voucher A from the season ticket book).
Thursday 25 August, 10.00 to 16.00hrs tickets will be available to Season Ticket Holders and CFU members only (CFU members will be required to produce their CFU membership card).
Saturday 27th August, 17.00hrs (after the Sutton United game) tickets will go on General Sale.

Prices
Adults - £20 plus £7 coach travel
Over 64’s and Under 21’s - £15 plus £7 coach travel
Over 80’s and Under 18’s - £8 plus £7 coach travel
Family Tickets are also available
Adult and Under 18 -£23.00 plus £14.00 coach travel
Adult and Under 11 - £21.00 plus £14.00 coach travel
Ambulant and disabled supporters are as the age brackets above.
Wheelchair Spaces are available in the Mold Road Stand
Adult – £13.00
Over 64 and under 21 - £13.00
Over 80 - £7.00
Under 18 - £3.00
Under 11 - £1.00
Free Carer as required.

Once again suupporters will only be able to travel to the game via the official club coaches which will depart Chester FC from 10.30. Match tickets will be distributed on the coach.

The game is being televised live on BT Sport.

17 August 2016
BLUES PAY FOR ERRORS
Two defeats in four days have seen Chester slip to 19th spot in the league. Saturday's 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Maidstone United included a red card for goalscorer James Alibi. It was followed on Tuesday with a 3-2 reverse at Barrow where second half goals from James Akintunde and Theo Vassell added some respectability to the scoreline, but mistakes had already allowed former Blue Ross Hannah to open the scoring and Jordan Williams to add two more for the home side.

Manager Jon McCarthy said after the Holker Street defeat: “We have seen four teams now and nothing has frightened us. I don’t fear people. Defensively we can’t carry on like that, though. I don’t need the players to get nervous and feel under any pressure. I’m quite happy to come and accept results if they work hard. We’ll iron out the mistakes and change some people around. I can make some changes if I have to so players realise that ‘I can't do that’.”

“But the Elliott Durrell’s back pass (that led to Hannah’s goal). He wants to get on the ball and is full of confidence but to roll it back like that completely changed the game. It was a game where we were on top. We’ve come away to Barrow, big things are expected of them, and we’ve caused them a lot of problems.”

“I think I am calm enough to say that we were a real threat against them and you could see by their bench that we had them in all kinds of shapes.”

Chester travel to play fifth placed Boreham Wood on Saturday (kick-off 15.00hrs). The Hertfordshire side had already beaten Forest Green Rovers and Dover Athletic this season and picked up a point against York City, before a 1-0 home defeat by leaders Tarnmere Rovers on Tuesday that saw Conor Clifford sent-off and he will now miss Saturday’s game.

• League Table after Barrow game

13 August 2016
LLOYD RETURNS ON LOAN
Midfielder Ryan Lloyd has signed for the Blues on loan from Port Vale until January 2017. Lloyd had a spell with Chester last season making 23+3 appearances under manager Steve Burr.

12 August 2016
CHESTER EXILES AGM
The Chester Exiles AGM will take place on Friday September 9 in the upstairs room at the Horseshoe pub at 24 Clerkenwell Close, Clerkenwell, London, EC1R 0AG. Please try to arrive at 7pm for a prompt 7.30pm start.

Apologies for those who aren't within reach of London, but we’ve deliberately picked a date on the eve of the away game at Aldershot in the hope more people will be in the area. Please email us if you can’t attend and there’s anything you want to raise. We are also hoping that a representative from the club will be able attend as our main guest. We will keep you posted.

Further details about the AGM will follow. But after the formal business, there will be certainly be chance to discuss the roller-coaster start to Chester’s season! Let us know if you can attend - email info@chesterexiles.co.uk - to help us plan the catering.

10 August 2016
HOME VICTORY OVER DAGENHAM
The Blues put Saturday’s opeding day defeat firmly behind them with a convincing 3-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night. Chester took the game to their opponents from the start and opened the scoring with a spectacular 25-yard volley from Elliott Durrell after 12 minutes. Tom Shaw doubled the lead with another superb goal firing into the top left corner from a Theo Vassell through ball. The scoring was completed after the break with James Alibi heading home a right wing cross.

Manager Jon McCarthy told the Chester Chronicle: “To see all of that, to see a spirit and a work rate and a belief, there is something good around the place and I recognise it because I have seen it. There is something special here. It has given everybody a massive lift at the club. But it’s results. When we win, everything I say is right but when we lose, everything I say is wrong.”

The three points lifts Chester to 10th spot with a home game against newly promoted Maidstone United to come on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.

• League Table

8 August 2016
OPENING DAY DEFEAT
Chester were beaten 3-0 at Gateshead in the first game of the new season on Saturday. The teams were kevel at half-time but an own goal from Theo Vassell set The Heed on their way in the 62nd minute. Wes York added a second 26 minutes later and Manny Smith wrapped up the victory two minutes from time.

Following the defeat manager Jon McCarthy said: “The honeymoon period is over. The National League is a tough division and it's difficult to defend a 3-0 defeat. We always try to come to places and try not to concede any more than one goal, and we always try to score a goal, but we have failed on both attempts.”

“Gateshead are going to be a strong team in this division and for 65 minutes I was really pleased with everything we had done in terms of our shape, the organisation, the intensity, the workrate, and we created a few chances. But we didn’t quite link up and our final pass wasn’t great, especially in the first half, but a lot of what we were asking them to do they understood, but at the end when we conceded the first goal that all went and that was frustrating.”

The Blues face another of the fancied teams at home on Tuesday night when Dagenham & Redbridge visit, kick-off 19.45hrs. The Daggers beat Southport 3-0 at home on Saturday as they look to bounce straight back up to League Two at the first attempt.

5 August 2016
RARING TO GO

The new season kick's-off tomorrow as the Blues trvel to play Gateshead, kick-off at the International Stadium is 15.00hrs. The two sides last met in the final game of last season with Chester completing the campaign with an entertaining 4-2 home victory. Since then both sides have made changes, Jon McCarthy has brought in nine new players while Gateshead manager Neil Aspin has brought in no less than 15 new faces as his side look to push for a play-off place this season.

New Blues captain Luke George (pictured) said: “Everyone is champing at the bit for Saturday now. I think that showed against Burton as I thought that was the first time we looked like we went through the motions and it was a pre-seasony, testimonial if you like. The lads just want to start. Pre-season is nobody’s favourite time.”

“It’s a tough away game. They have spent a lot of money and brought a lot of new players in. They have a point to prove but so have we. The gaffer has left no stone unturned and given us everything that we need to know and everyone knows their jobs. We are not in this league to make the numbers up.”

Chester follow the opening match with a home game against Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday night, kick-off 19.45hrs.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

3 August 2016
BLUES BEATEN BY BURNLEY
Chester were beaten 2-1 at home by a Burnley U21 side in their final pre-season friendly on Tuesday night. James Akinyinde gave Chester a first half lead but goals after the break from Frazier Murdock and Dan Agyei gave the Clarets victory. Once again Ross Killock missed the game through injury while Blaine Hudson sat the game out after picking up a knock in the defeat to Burton Albion on Saturday. One conceRn for Blues manager Jon McCarthy was seeing Craig Mahon limp off late on following an injury.

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