News from Deva Stadium December 2014

Goals from captain Matty Brown and a first for the club from 19-year-old Tom Peers gave Chester a welcome 2-0 victory at FC Halifax Town after the home club had managed to get the game on with the help of their frost covers and volunteers.

Chester put in a much improved performance from the showing against Altrincham on Boxing Day taking the lead in the seventh minute with Brown converting a Kane Richards cross. Peers wrapped up the points six minutes from time heading home Jamie Menagh’s cross.

Manager Steve Burr said following the match: “A lot of people have put a lot of hard work into getting this game on, the people of Halifax, and you’ve got to applaud them for that because a lot of them were here from 7am this morning I believe.”

“We’re just glad to get back to winning ways and we’ve worked hard for the three points. With us having a bit of a dip, I think we’ve got away from the fact you’ve got to work hard and earn the right to get your results sometimes. The lads were at it and to work hard on a football pitch is a given, the ability will come out if you’ve got the ability.”

On Peers’ first goal Burr added: “It was a great ball in (from Jamie Menagh) and it’s good to see Tom Peers getting on the end of it, It was a terrific goal and one I’m sure he’ll remember for a long, long time. It’s nice for a centre forward to score goals like that, it was a great ball in and he’s done the rest hasn’t he so I’m really pleased.”

Chester are back in action on New Year’s Day when they make the short trip to Altrincham looking to avenge the home defeat from last week. Gareth Roberts will once again be available having served a three match suspension following his red card at Barnet.

• League table after Halifax game

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

27 December 2014
POOR BLUES BEATEN AT HOME

A lackluster performance from Chester was punished by an Altrincham side that ran out 2-0 winners at the Deva on Boxing Day. Kane Richards made his home debut at the expense of Ben Heneghan who took to the bench, but well saved freekick from John Rooney by Alty ‘keeper Stuart Coburn was all Chester really had to show as an attacking force in the entire 90 minutes.

Altrincham took the lead in the 25th minute with Tom Marshall glancing home a header from a long range freekick. A great double save from the masked Jon Worsnop prevented the visitors from doubling their lead eight minutes later as he parried a Jake Noult shot and reacted quickly to deny Kyle Perry from the rebound.

There were appeals for a penalty as Kingsley James appeared to have the feet taken from under him but referee Darren England waved play-on.

The Robins doubled their lead on the hour mark as Gianluca Havern found himself unmarked at the far post to head home a corner from two yards out.

• League table after Altrincham game

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

23 December 2014
TROPHY KNOCKOUT
A disappointing evening for Chester who were knocked out of the FA Trophy 4-3 on penalties in their home replay last night. Ben Heneghan had given the Blues a 15th minute lead, scoring from close range following a John Rooney corner, but Chester were unable to capitalise on their first half dominance to put the tie to bed.

The Bucks came more into the game during the second period and equalised through Sam Smith 14 minutes from time. Thirty minutes of extra time couldn’t separate the teams taking the game into penalties. Kingsley James and Tom Peers both saw their spot-kick efforts saved low dowm by Jonathan Hedge in the visitors’ goal as the Bucks booked a second round tie at AFC Fylde.

20 December 2014
TROPHY ADMISSION PRICES
Admission prices for the FA Trophy replay with AFC Telford United on Monday night have been reduced. They are: adult £10.00, concession £8.00, 16-19yrs £5.00, under 16 £2.00. Legends Lounge: members £15.00, non-members £20.00. Only the East and West stands will be open for this match. The game will kick-off at 19.45hrs.

18 December 2014
BLUES SECOND BEST

Barnsley ran out comfortable 3-0 winners last night as Chester’s FA Cup run came to an end at a rain drenched Deva Stadium. Chester were second best throughout the replay as goals from Kane Hemmings and a double from Dale Jennings gave the Tykes a home third round match against Middlesbrough. Chester have made over £100,000 from the cup run and TV money and will use some of the money to strengthen the squad in the new year.

Manager Steve Burr told the Chester Chronicle: “We’ve enjoyed ourselves in the cup this season but I think you could see the distance the two teams were apart. I was disappointed a little bit with our performance in that one or two that we know can do better we’re just a bit off it but I think that was down to how Barnsley pressed us all through the game and good luck to them now in the next round because they deserved to go through.”

“They were excellent I thought all round the park really. They were quite efficient and I expected that really after the first one. I just felt if we could just score things could have been a little bit different but it was one of those nights where we tried hard but we just didn’t reach the levels we know we can play at.”

“I think that’s down to how they defended and with the two centre halves you could see their Premiership class so it was difficult but we’ve earned the club some money this season which is good and that helps everybody to make the club a bit stronger so it’s just important now with the league form that we try and keep improving and getting stronger.”

Chester have another difficult task ahead when they travel to league leaders Barnet on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs. The Bees opened the season with a 5-0 win at Chester who saw John Rooney miss a penalty and Danny Harrison sent off in a miserable start to the new campaign.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

17 December 2014
FORWARD SIGNS
Chester have signed 19-year-old Ilkeston FC forward Kane Richards. BUrr has keen keeping tabs on the player since last season and said: “Kane is a striker who will be hungry to do well here at Chester, he’s got an excellent pedigree and as long as paperwork is sorted, he’ll be able to play a part at Barnet on Saturday”. Meanwhile Rhys Oates has returned to Barnsley following his loan spell at Chester.

15 December 2014
FA TROPHY REPLAY
The home FA Trophy replay against AFC Telford United will now take place on Monday 22 December, kick-off 19.45hrs. The game was originally due to be played 24hrs later. The winner of the tie will travel to AFC Fylde in the second round. Fylde currently lie second in the Conference North.

12 December 2014
CUP MATCH TICKET SALES
The club have now made arrangements for the telephone sale of Barnsley FA Cup replay tickets as follows:

Friday. Season ticket holders only.
Ring the club on 01244371376. They will try and deal with you immediately but may have to ring you back if they are busy.
Have your season ticket available as the club will want information off it to verify you are a season ticket holder.
The club will process your card payment and put your ticket and the customer copy from the card machine in an envelope which can be collected from the ticket office before the game.

From Saturday. General sale.
Ring the club on 01244371376. They will try and deal with you immediately but may have to ring you back if they are busy.
They will ask for your name and postcode so they can provide a unique identification code for when you collect your tickets.
The club will process your card payment and put your ticket and the customer copy from the card machine in an envelope which can be collected from the ticket office before the game.

9 December 2014
REPLAY IS ALL TICKET
The football club have now announced that following a meeting of the Safety Advisory Group next Tuesday’s home replay with Barnsley will be all ticket. Tickets will go on sale for Season Ticket Holders on Thursday and Friday this week on production of your Season Ticket book and Voucher C.

Tickets will then go on general sale as from Saturday morning, when the Ticket Office will be open from 10.00hrs to 12.00hrs, prior to the coaches departing for the Telford FA Trophy match. General Sales will continue on Sunday and Monday from 10.00 to 16.00 and the club are hoping to have additional opening on the Monday evening once the arrangements can be finalised. Tickets will also be available on the Tuesday morning from 10.00 to 13.00. No further sales are being allowed past this point.

Ticket Prices: Seated in all Stands are as follows: Adults £15.00, Concessions £9.00, U21/Students/Armed Forces £7.00, U 16’s £3.00.

Prices for Standing on the Harry McNally Terrace are: Adults £12.00, Concessions £7.00, U21/Students/Armed Forces £7.00, U16’s £3.00.

Admission for Legends Lounge members will be via the Ticket Office on the night on production of your Legends Lounge Season Ticket and Voucher C. Admission Price is £20.00.

Due to the shortage of time available to arrange this fixture all seating is unreserved and the club are unable to guarantee reserved seats for Season Ticket Holders and we do apologise and ask you to bear with us on this.

8 December 2014
FA CUP DRAW
The winners of Chester’s FA Cup replay with Barnsley will play Championship side Middlesbrough at home in the third round of the competition.

LIVE TV REPLAY FOR BLUES
Chester’s home FA Cup second round replay with Barnsley will be shown live on BT Sport on Tuesday 16 December, kick-off 19.45hrs. Both clubs will receive £36,000 TV money, the winner of the replay will receive another £27,000 in prize money.

BATTTLING BLUES EARN CUP DRAW

A great performance from the Blues at Oakwell yesterday saw Chester earn a deserved 0-0 draw in the second round of the FA Cup with League One side Barnsley. Watched by 2,143 Blues fans, Chester saw two efforts by Craig Hobson and Kieran Charnock cleared off the line and also saw a deflected Craig Mahon shot hit the bar. The game could have gone either way with Jon Worsnop, who took a blow to the head in the opening five minutes, making a couple of great saves to deny the Tykes.

Burr said: “It was a fantastic performance from the players and along with the fantastic support that we had it’s been a memorable day and I’m sure it will be something that will live on with Chester fans and the lads who played.”

“We’ve had some good chances and it was pleasing to come here, and you could see Barnsley had obviously done their homework on us and we’re closing us down and not letting us play, and put in a good performance to show not just the people that have come from Chester who probably haven’t seen us all season but hopefully the people from Barnsley the type of football we try and play.”

“It would be very unfair to single anybody out because as a team the lads have worked very hard and put in a great shift and shown that type of commitment you need to cause an upset and unfortunately we didn’t quite cause an upset but we've got another chance at Chester.”

The draw for the third round will take place live on BBC2 tonight at 19.00hrs.

• Match highlights [BBC] | More pictures

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

FA TROPHY PRICES
AFC Telford United and Chester have agreed to reduce admission prices for the first round match at the New Bucks Head on Saturday (kick-off 15.00hrs). Prices are: adults £10.00, concessions £8.00, 16-19 year old’s £5.00, under16’s £2.00.

5 December 2014
BLUES BACKED BY HUGE FOLLOWING

Over 1,500 supporters will be backing the Blues as they aim to reach the third round of the FA Cup when they play League One side Barnsley at Oakwell Stadium on Sunday (kick-off 14.00hs). A dozen official coaches, other independently organised coaches and hundreds traveling by car and train will head to Yorkshire all hoping to see the shock of the round.

Manager Steve Burr has a limited choice of strike force with Matty Hughes returning to Fleetwood, on-loan Rhys Oates unable to play against his parent club and Tom Peers cup-tied having played for Hednesford Town in an earlier round. Craig Hobson, who scored a brace last weekend, and youth player Ben Greenop are the only forwards available.

Assistant manager Jon McCarthy is looking forward to the challenge ahead: “I have always loved the FA Cup, ever since I watched the cup final with my dad. The magic of the competition is still there and that’s what excites people. I’ve certainly felt the excitement around Chester and I can’t wait for Sunday to arrive.”

“The gaffer has tasted a few good victories in the FA Cup and he will know exactly how to build the team up for the occasion and create some excitement in the dressing room.”

Barnsley reached the second round stage following a 5-0 home victory over Burton Albion and the Tykes currently lie 14th in League One.

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

3 December 2014
HUGHES RECALED BY FLEETWOOD
Matty Hughes has been recalled by Fleetwood Town following his successful two month loan spell with Chester. Hughes scored five goals in eight appearances for Chester in his time with the club. The 22-year-old originally signed for a month but had his loan spell extended.

WIN LIFTS BLUES
Chester moved up to 13th in the Conference after completing the double over AFC Telford United last night. Second half goals from Matty Brown, his first for the club, and an own goal from Andy Parry were enough to bring three points for the second time this season against the Bucks.

First team assistant manager Jon McCarthy said: “We started quite slow but we moved through the gears and we felt like we put Telford on the back foot, where they looked a little bit lost. Telford made a change at half time but in a way that suited us better because we want to play three against two so it was a chance for us to come on and we took advantage of that.”

“It’s pleasing because you know they can be difficult games at home when everybody expects us to win the game.We have a few mistakes and a few hiccups because of where we are as a club but I think it’s quite a high level of performance that we’re getting week in, week out which is great when you’re stood there on the sidelines.”

• League table after Telford game

1 December 2014
BLUES TRAVEL IN TROPHY
Chester have been drawn away to AFC Telford United in the first round of the FA Trophy, the game is due to take place on Saturday 13 December. The winners of the tie will receive £5,000. Before that the two sides meet tomorrow night in a league clash at Deva Stadium, kick-off 19.45hrs. Prior to the match the FA Cup will be on display in the club shop where supporters can have their photograph taken with the famous trophy.

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