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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2017

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AUGUST
27 August 2017
FIRST WIN FOR BLUES
An unlikely second half fightback saw Chester grab all three points at Aldershot Town on Saturday. The Blues should have been out of the game at half-time with the home side having a 1-0 advantage and also hitting the Chester woodwork on three occasions. An injury to the only fit striker James Akintunde saw manager Jon McCarthy forced into changes at the interval pushing Lucas Dawson up front. Five minutes into the second period a trip on Craig Mahon in the box allowed Dawson to equalise from the penalty spot and the unlikely comeback was complete eight minutes from time as Jordan Chapell saw a lob bounce back off the bar before Kingsley James smashed home the winning goal.

Table after Aldershot match

24 August 2017
STRIKER SHORTAGE FOR BLUES
Chester could well be without three strikers as they travel to play Aldershot Town on Saturday. Ross Hannah, Nyal Bell and Harry White are all sidelined through injury leaving just james Akintunde and youngster Nathan Brown available for the trip to Hampshire. Manager Jon McCarthy said: “If Ross Hannah is out, and the other two don’t make it, Tom Crawford, James Jones or Nathan Brown come into our plans. That’s where we’re at, we know the situation, but it’s frustrating that it’s hit us so early on.”

Chester have three points from their opening twelve and know they face a tough task on Saturday against a side lying third in the table following a bright start including home wins over Guiseley (6-0) and Torquay United (3-2).

21 August 2017
LAST GASP DEFEAT FOR BLUES
A 90th minute winner for Sutton United condemned Chester to their first defeat of the season on Saturday. A poor display in the opening period had seen the Blues concede a Louis John goal after just five minutes. Tommy Wright added a second on 43 minutes before Craig Mahon pulled a goal back in stoppage time. A rejuvenated Chester fought back well after the break and deservedly drew level on 63 minutes through Lucas Dawson. With the game heading for a draft, substitute Kieran Cadogan netted a last minute winner to take Sutton top of the league.

Following the defeat Blues manager John McCarthy said: “I feel for everybody who has put a lot into that today, in terms of my staff, the players and the fans as well, and the way that the whole club came together.”

“Sutton have gone top tonight with that performance. We knew how strong they were, and we went 2-0 down to the team that was second in the league. They’re strong, they play very direct football, and we knew we had to play, we knew we had pass. The loss of the three strikers (White, Bell and Hannah) meant we had to pass and play some football.”

“We’ll look at the detail and why we conceded three goals, because that’s the real negative today, but the work rate, and the response, and the way people got behind the football club, I’m really grateful for that.”

“It would have been a really significant result for us today, to remain unbeaten, and we were two minutes away from doing that. I thought we could win that today so to lose it in the manner that we did, it hurts a lot.”

Table after Sutton defeat

17 August 2017
SOLIHULL DATE
Chester will now travel to play Solihull Moors on Tuesday 5 September, the game was originally scheduled for the opening day of the season. Kick-off will be 19.45hrs.

AKINTUNDE STRIKE EARNS POINT
Chester remain unbeaten following a 1-1 draw at Hartlepool United on Tuesday night. James Akintunde gave the Blues a first minute lead following a defensive mistake that led to Scott Loach partially saving a Ross Hannah effort only for Akintunde to score from the loose ball. Hannah did find the net on 14 minutes but his effort was ruled out for offside. The home side hit the woodwork three times before Jake Cassidy equalised on 71 minutes.

15 August 2017
BORE DRAW
Chester followed up their home point against AFC Fylde with another one against anoter newly promoted side, FC Halifax Town. The only real effort of goal for the Blues came two minutes from time when James Akintunde saw a shot superbly saved by Sam Johnson in The Shayman’s goal.

8 August 2017
OPENING POINT FOR BLUES
Chester’s season got underway on Tuesday night with a home 1-1 draft with newly promoted AFC Fylde in front of a crowd of 2,223. Both sides created chances in the opening period which was end-to-end but it was The Coasters who took the lead on the stroke of half time as summer signing from Lincoln City Jack Muldoon scoring past Conor Mitchell making his debut in goal.

The Blues hit back however and were level just a minute later. Kingsley James broke out of midfield before sending Lucas Dawson through to score a deserved equaliser from 18 yards. Harry White was inches away from giving Chester the lead in the opening minute of the second period but Flyde were also creating chances themselves and Mitchell pulled off a superb save late on to push a Sam Finley strike round the post.

Manager Jon McCarthy thought both sides deserved a point: “I think it was a fair result. We both had similar chances, it was really even, I thought this would be the hardest game we’d have all week. We’re a little bit behind because we’ve not got 90 minutes under our belt but I’m pleased to put a point on the board against a team who are being touted as being one of the favourites for he play-offs. Everybody will accept it was a pretty even game.”

Latest table | More pictures


Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

BLUES SIGN GOALKEEPER
Chester have taken Burnley goalkeeper Conor Mitchell on loan until the end of the year. The 21-year-old shot stopper impressed Jon McCarthy during pre-season and will compete for the position with Alex Lynch.

4 August 2017
MATCH OFF
Chester’s opening game of the league season at Solihull Moors tomorrow has been postponed because the Damson Park ground does not meet with safety requirements. Hundreds of Blues fans were due to make the trip to the league opener and many will now be left out of pocket.

A National League statement stated: “Further to a decision of the home club's local safety authority, it has been necessary for the opening day fixture match between Solihull Moors and Chester to be postponed.”

“The Solihull Safety Advisory Group, who oversee the licensing of the stadium, has clarified that spectators cannot be admitted to the ground until such time as required safety systems are in place.”

“Arrangements are in hand to urgently deal with this matter, but it is felt the only appropriate decision available to The National League is to postpone the fixture and rearrange it for later in the season.”

Solihull said that “they were only made aware of this issue by Solihull Council at 7.30pm on Thursday night.”

Chester’s Chief executive Mark Maguire said: “We are angry that our fans have been left so disappointed on the eve of a new season. Having spoken to fans over the summer I know how much this will hurt and, even though it is something that was out of our control, we can only apologise as a football club. It’s not a phone call that I envisaged taking this morning. If we had known sooner then we could have offered the use of our stadium but there simply wasn't enough time.”

The Blues will now start their season at home on Tuesday night against newly promoted AFC Fylde, kick-off 19.45hrs.
CAPTAIN NAMED
Defender John McCombe has been named captain for the coming season. McCombe joined Chester pre-season from Macclesfield Town, having turned down a new deal with the Silkmen, and has plenty of experience having played previously for Port Vale, York City and Hereford United.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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