27 December 2003
NAP HAND FOR CITY
A hat-trick from man-of-the-match Darryn Stamp helped City on their way to a second five-goal haul in a week as they swept aside Leigh RMI at Deva Stadium in front of a 3,000+ crowd.

Daryl Clare opened the scoring against The Railwaymen on ten minutes with a thunderbolt into the top corner after intercepting a pass on the edge of the box. The lead was doubled eight minutes later with Darryn Stamp scoring from close range following fine work downthe right by Carl Regan making an impressive home debut. Stamp added his second before the break scoring a one-on-one after beating a defender in the box and completed his hat-trick on 73 minutes converting a left wing cross. Substitute Kevin Rapley wrapped up the scoring with three minutes remaining.

The Blues extend their lead at the top of the Nationwide Conference to six points following Hereford United’s 1-1 home draw with Exeter City last night, though

The Bulls have a game in hand. Of the other sides pushing for promotion, Barnet were pegged back in the last minute at Woking (2-2). There were wins for Shrewsbury Town over Northwich Victoria (3-1) while Aldershot Town won 3-2 away at Dagenham & Redbridge. On New Year’s Day the reverse fixtures take place with City travelling the short distance to Hilton Park where there is bound to be a large City following hoping to see the Blues complete a festive double.

Midfielder Jon Brady has left Chester City to take up a role as an under-16 team coach at Arsenal, setting up soccer schools in the Northamptonshire area. Brady joined City from Woking in October 2002 (although he did earlier play for the Blues in a pre-season friendly against Liverpool) and in total made 36+4 appearances for the Blues scoring 2 goals in the process. Brady leaves with glowing praise from chairman Steve Vaughan. “This is a tremendous opportunity for Jon and we would certainly not stand in his way. We wish him all the best in his future career in the game. Jon has been an excellent servant to Chester City Football Club, and has been a model professional in the way he conducted himself both on and off the field” he said. Brady hopes to continue playing part-time for a club in the south, good luck to him.

The under 9’s played a mixed 9’s and 10’s team and in an end to end game narrowly lost out 3-2. In an excellent and well mannered game. Jordan Parkinson in goal had an excellent game and did very well early on but the blues slipped to two early goals. In the second period the boys battled strongly and pulled a goal back through the hard working Timmy Newman a second soon followed from the inspirational Danny Davies as the Blues got on top.

Johnny Aplas and Adam Howell again were very solid with Owen Smith and Callum Byrne making the most of City’s possession. Ryan Renshaw switched into midfield as City pushed for the winner but the visitors scored a deserved winner towards the end of the game. In the final minutes city were denied a draw as a Caernarfon defender handled the ball on the line which the referee could not see through the melai of players. City will relish the return game at Caernarfon in Febuary.

The under 10’s carried the flag well and produced a pass and move display eventually winning 8-3 again against a higher age group with good all round performances from Dean Clark, Reece Norton, Alex Williamson, JJ who was a deserved man-of-the-match. Steven Wainwright put in a great display in his new team and capped it of with a fine goal.

The under 13’s again played a mixed age group team and suffered an early setback as the visitors grabbed an early goal through the left winger who is also on the books at Manchester City but the Blues soon got back on track with a goal through Tom Poynton. With the scores at 1-1 at half time City changed formation which produced an early goal from Chris Bailey after some great work from man-of-the-match James Owen and captain Sean Ritchards. A third soon followed as Chris Newman lashed in his third penalty in as many games and the Blues were well and truly on there way. The visitors struggled with City’s slick passing and with Steve Starkey so composed at the back the Blues were never in trouble and bagged the fourth goal through Dave Clearry which finished of another good day for City’s youth teams.

It appears that Jamie Heard has a bad ankle injury on Saturday but fortunately no break after suffering a heavy challenge from Jake Sagare shortly after the break. “Jamie has stud-marks on both ankles after a bad, bad challenge. People can miss things in games, but that was blatant. I was disappointed to see Jamie stretchered off, but I was pleased to hear the doctor say that he hasn’t broken anything.” said manager Mark Wright.