News from Deva Stadium December 2016

28 December 2016
HOME GAME TO BE TELEVISED
The home league game against Gateshead on Saturday 11 February will be screned live on BT Sports. The match will now have a 12.15 kick-off time.

BLUES SEE RED AT SOLIHULL
Chester’s seven match unbeaten league run came to an end in controversial circumstances at Solihull Moors on Boxing Day. The Blues went down 3-2 and had Johnny Hunt sent-off in the 16th minute, the defender receiving a straight red card (Chester’s third in four matches) for a heavy challenge on Shepherd Murombedzi. Momemts later the 10-man-Blues took the lead with a long range effort from Elliott Durrell.

With the Blues moments away from taking a half-time lead referee Chris O’Donnell awarded a free-kick to Moors for a handball by Tom Shaw, though the ball appeared to hit him on the chest. Omari Sterling-James equalised from the resulting free-kick.

Harry White put Solihull in front ten minutes after the break and the home side extended their lead with Sterling-James adding his second on 69 minutes. Kane Richards pulled a consolation goal back in stoppage time.

Manager Jon McCarthy said: “I’m delighted with my players, they had to work hard for long periods of the game with 10 men. A lot of things went us against us today, injuries and all kinds of stuff, but we're not ones for making excuses, we’ll look at the things we could have done better and analyse that.”

“Our organisation and shape with 10 men, we work hard on that, so we knew what to do, and we did it for a long time, and we scored twice with 10 men.”

“It might seem a little bit boring, and a rant and a rave (towards the match officials) might be perfect here, but you know it’s not my style, I’m quite level-headed, and IVll have to work hard to help make sure we pick up points against Solihull on New Year’s Day.”

The two sides meet again at Chester on New Year’s Day, kick-off 15.00hrs.unt will miss the game serving the first match of his three game ban.

• League Table after Solihull defeat

19 December 2016
IMPRESSIVE RUN CONTINUES
Chester enter the festive period in seventh place and within six points of the play-off places after goals from Jordan Chapell and James Alabi gave them a 2-0 home victory over Aldershot Town on Saturday.The Blues have lost just once in 17 league matches now, that 2-5 home defeat to league leaders Lincoln City.

James Alabi missed an early penalty as Chester started brightly against a side that started level with them in the table. Chester broke the deadlock a minute before half-time as Chapell raced through onto a ball that looked to be heading out for a goal kick, he brought it under control and cut inside before firing a low shot past Mark Smith from a narrow angle.

Ten minutes after the break the advantage was doubled as man-of-the-match Alabi was first to pounce in the area as a Tom Shaw shot was blocked was blocked following a fine break involving Elliott Durrell.

Chester are next in action on Boxing Day when they visit Solihull Moors, kick-off 15.00hrs.

• League table after Aldershot win

14 December 2016
LATE DRAMA SEES BLUES THROUGH

Chester will face Forest Green Rovers in the second round of the FA Trophy on Saturday 14 January after coming from behind to beat Witton Albion 2-1 in last night's first round replay. The visitors took the lead in the opening minute when they were awarded a penalty after just six seconds following a Blaine Hudson foul on Tolani Omotola. Bradley Bauress saw his spot-kick saved by Alex Lynch but recovered to prod home the rebound.

Witton were reduced to ten men just before half-time with Omotola seeing red after being given a second yellow card for dissent. Chester were finding it hard to break down a stubborn Wittton defence and to make matters worse Hudson also received his marching orders for a second yellow card.

Witton had the ball in the net again but saw the effort ruled out for a foul. The visitors coach Paul Moore was sent to the stands following his complaints at the decision to rule out the goal.

Four minutes from time Matthew Devine brought down Tom Shaw in the box for a penalty. Devine saw red and James Alabi smashed home the penalty off the underside of the bar to draw Chester level. With the game heading for extra time Elliott Durrell raced through on goal, rounded Danny Roberts and slotted home the winning goal to bring to an end a quite extraordinary match.

Manager Jon McCarthy said after the game: “We’ve had the referee before, he’s all right, but it was like the game was out of control. Both sets of players and managers need to take responsibility for that, as well as the referee, and it created for a chaotic night. There were just lots of mistakes everywhere, which I guess created for an exciting cup tie.”

“I’m really finding it hard to explain it. I’ll be glad to get back to the calm of a league game on Saturday. But we’re in the next round of the Trophy and that’s very important to this football club.”

Forest Green Rovers needed an extra time winner to win their replay at Truro City to set up the second round tie.

12 December 2016
HOME INCENTIVE
The winner’s of tomorrow night's FA Trophy replay between Chester and Witton Albion will be at home in round two to either Forest Green Rovers or Truro City. Those two sides also replay tomorrow at Treyew Road having drawn 1-1 at Forest Green on Saturday.

Admission prices for tomorrow’s replay against Witton Albion are as follows: Adults £10.00, Concessions £8.00, Under 16’s £3.00. The game will kick-off at 19.45hrs and will be played to a conclusion with extra-time and penalties if needed.

BLUES LIVE TO FIGHT ANOTHER DAY
Chester will count themselves fortunate to still be in the FA Trophy after sharing a 1-1 draw at Witton Albion in the first round on Saturday. Jordan Chapell gave the blues the lead heading home ten minutes before half time. Witton, who play three leagues below the Blues, rallied after the break and were the better side throughout the second half. Brad Bauress drew the sides level on 62 minutes and once again Alex Lynch made some key saves to keep Chester in the competition. The Blues were reduced to ten men in the final minutes as Kane Richards was sent-off following a second yellow card.

8 December 2016
DEFEAT FOR YOUNGSTERS
After their heroics in beating Fleetwood Town and Bolton Wanderers the youth team were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup last night at FC Broxbourne Borough. The game finished level after 90 minutes with the Blues having a couple of chances in the opening period of extra-time, however with penalties looming the home side grabbed the winner two minutes from time with a header from a corner to book a place in the last 32 of the competition.

7 December 2016
FA TROPHY OPPONENTS
Chester will play Witton Albion away in in the FA Trophy on Saturday. Witton conceded two goals in the opening six minutes at home to Boston United last night but bounced back to run out 4-2 winners. Saturday’s first round match will kick-off at 15.00hrs.

4 December 2016
ANOTHER POINT AS BLUES MOVE SEVENTH

Chester moved to seventh in the table following a hard fought point in a 1-1 draw at Guiseley on Saturday. James Alabi gave the Blues a first half lead with an overhead kick only for the Lions to draw level after the break from the penalty spot after referee Martin Coy had awarded a foul against Johnny Hunt. Coy also turned away appeals for what looked like a blatant foul on Craig Mahon in the penalty area later in the game. Once again Alex Lynch made a number of fine saves in goal to ensure Chester came away from Yorkshire with a point. The Blues have lost just once in their last 16 league matches.

Manager Jon McCarthy said: “We weren’t 100 per cent but it wasn’t a poor performance. We worked very hard, give them the compliments, and we’ll take another hard-earned point.”

“There are a lot of things to be pleased about. James’ goal was of the highest quality. He showed strength to hold off the defender and then the awareness to put it over his head and into the far corner. That’s him at the moment.”

“In our heads we’ve kept another clean sheet in open play and we’ve had two penalties go against us.”

Chester are away again next Saturday in the first round of the FA Trophy. As yet their opponents are unknown, Witton Albion and Boston United will try to play their qualifying round match postponed last week this Tuesday night.

• League Table

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

CHESTER HALL OF FAME DESKTOP CALENDAR

The Exiles, in association with the Former Players Association, have produced a 2017 desktop calendar (16cmx18cm) featuring the 18 Hall of Fame members. The calendar will go on sale towards the end of the week, and will be available to purchase at Eastleigh on Saturday. The cost of the calendar is £8.00 and PayPal orders can be taken at a cost of £10.00 which includes postage and packing.

Thanks to all who have purchased online calendars from the Exiles. We have now sold the stock we hold, calendar's are still available through the Chester FC club shop.

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