28 February 2013
BLUES EXTEND LEAD
Chester moved 19 point clear of Guiseley at the top of the table following an entertaining 3-1 victory over Gainsborough Trinity last night. The visitors started brightly for former City player Darren Stamp heading against the bar early on and then taking the lead on 20 minutes through Craig Nelthorpe. A mistake by Trinity ‘keeper Jan Budtz let in Tony Gray for the equaliser and Chester never looked back.

A superb counter attack on 39 minutes involving Nathan Jarman and Antoni Sarcevic set up Matty McGinn for a trademark powerful finish to give the Blues an interval lead. Ten minutes after the restart Jarman added a third, and his 16th goal of the season, with a cool finish.

A delighted Neil Young told the Chester Chronicle: “I’m so proud of the lads. I always knew it was going to be a significant game in terms of where we are in the league.”

Two minutes from time substitute Nathan Jarman wrapped up the points with a well taken volley after good approach play from Tony Gray. There was still time for Danby to make a couple of important saves and preserve a clean sheet as Chester remain 16 points clear of second placed Guiseley who scored a late winner at Worcester City.

Chester had to settle for a draw at a frosty Workington despite having a man advantage for 85 minutes after Lee Andrews was shown a red card for a foul on Nathan Jarman. The hosts fully deserved their point against a Chester side that was unchanged fro the one that won at Corby on Saturday with Antoni Sarcevic having recovered from a thigh injury. The Blues took the lead through Marc Williams six minutes after the break as the striker stooped to head home a pinpoint Sarcevic cross. The lead lasted only a couple of minutes as Gari Rowntree lashed a shot past John Danby from 20 yards, giving the Blues ‘keeper no chance. New signing Lee Trundle (pictured) was introduced on 63 minutes and almost won a penalty with his first touch only to have the appeal turned down. The hard won point keeps the Blues 16 points ahead of second placed Guiseley who let a two-goal lead slip as they were held at home 2-2 by Colwyn Bay. In avoiding defeat at Borough Park Chester set a new Conference North record of 22 games unbeaten, beating the record previously held by Eastwood Town in 2010/11. • League table after this match | More pictures Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Chester have signed experienced 36-year-old forward Lee Trundle until the end of the season. The Liverpool-born striker began his career at Burscough before moving on to Chorley, Stalybridge Celtic, Southport, Rhyl, Wrexham (73+21 appearances 27 goals), Swansea City (135+11 appearances 78 goals), Bristol City (25+28 appearances 7 goals), Neath and Preston North End.

The move has been made possible with money available following the departure of Michael Powell to Witton Albion last week. Manager Neil Young revealed that the club tried to sign Trundle in the summer before the striker eventually signed for North End. He only made one appearance at Deepdale before picking up a knee ligament injury and recently terminated his contract there.

Manager Young told the Chester Chronicle: “Lee contacted me to see if we were still interested. We were, as when a player of his experience and ability comes along with 10 weeks of the season to go you have to be. It’s been a challenge to get players in while at the same time our rivals have been strengthening. So I think we’ve managed to pull off a bit of a coup to get Lee in and I’m sure he can have a big part to play.”

Chester continued their unbeaten run with a hard fought 2-1 victory at Corby Town on Saturday, and were given a bonus at the end of the match when new came through of a defeat for second placed Guiseley at Vauxhall Motors. The Blues started strongly and raced into a two goal lead thanks to Dave Hankin’s headed effort from a Nathan Jarman cross on 13 minutes and a Jarman close range strike just four minutes later. The Blues dominated for the opening 30 minutes and could have extended their lead as Marc Williams missed a great chance to score the third. The second period was a bit dull by comparison. John Danby denied Josh Moreman with a good save, and Moreman saw also an effort deflect off George Horan onto the bar in the closing minutes. The Steelmen pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Paul Malone but Chester held firm to record another away victory to move 16 points clear of Guiseley, who have three games in hand. A delighted manager Neil Young said afterwards: “I’m so proud of the lads I’ve got in our dressing room – they don’t give an inch and they never give up. I’ve got disappointed lads on the bench and disappointed lads not in the squad but they keep going and come to difficult places like this, on a difficult pitch, and win.” Chester are back in action on Tuesday with an away match at Workington. They will be without Antoni Sarcevic who injured a thigh and will be out for 7-10 days. Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Midfielder Michael Powell has left Chester. Powell made 43+14 appearances, scoring 4 goals since signing from Southport, where he was vice-captain, on 29 March 2011. He only made 4+3 appearances this season but hadn’t featured since being sent-off in the FA Cup replay at FC Halifax Town last October. He has recently spent a two-month loan period at Curzon Ashton. Manager Neil Young told the Chester Leader: “Michael Powell has mutually agreed to cancel his contract at Chester from today and I would like to thank him for the contribution he made while at the club.” “His goals last season helped the club win promotion and, although there were a few disciplinary issues earlier this season, his attitude was first class. He could have decided to have come back to Chester and just sat in the stands, but he still wants to play football.” Picture � Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

The board of directors have issued a statement following the announcement by chairman Tony Durkin at Wednesday night’s CFU meeting that the club is expected to post a loss of between £65,000-£75,000 for this year. Most of the clubs reserves will have been spent by the end of the season and in an effort to keep a track on spending Laurence Kirby, has been appointed as a volunteer financial controller and he will head up an accountancy team.

Durkin told the Chester Chronicle: “We’re reviewing all the commercial contracts that we’ve got, looking at their viability and looking at their exposure to the club. We’re going to try and mitigate any risks we’ve got with them by renegotiating or changing the terms.”

“We’re also looking at in-house viability and processes because at the moment the management controls aren’t robust enough. Management controls in any business are vitally important as they allow you to make informed decisions at any time. If you produce monthly management accounts, they may not be 100% accurate, but they certainly should be 90-95% correct. Having those figures – which are fluid and will change – allows you to manage the business more carefully.”

The statement issued by the board reads: “We all share the disappointment of the forecast losses that were announced at the CFU meeting on Wednesday evening. Those that attended the meeting were able to hear the board explain our current situation in wider context and whilst this situation is not ideal, we were able to explain that we are all determined to make in-roads to the forecast loss, and increase the financial controls in place.”

“Moreover, to simply focus on the regrettable losses, undermines all the positive work that is, and has taken place at the club, started by the previous boards and now carried on with energy and enthusiasm by us all.”

“We would not be where we are today had it not been for those board members who led the rebuilding of our club, ensuring that senior football survived in the city. These people gave and continue to give everything, at great personal cost, to preserve our football heritage. They deserve nothing but praise and our thanks.”

“They, like you, have lives, jobs and families, but they gave everything they could for our cause. Without their foresight and effort we would now be floundering in the North West Counties League potentially under Danish ownership, or worse.”

“For those of you that were unable to attend the meeting I would like to clarify a number of matters. Most importantly we are a debt-free football club with a very positive future, sitting at the summit of the Blue Square Bet North.”

“Further to this we have established a Community Trust, with assets of £35,000, and a grant-funded Community Trust manager in place. This will benefit the club and community greatly.”

“We also have a highly successful full-time manager in Neil Young and a quality playing squad that are both investments for the future. As I have previously said, when we have challenges, the crucial thing is how we react to them. Negativity, panic and blame do not and will not figure in our determination to continue on our road to success.”

“Control, trust, enthusiasm, hard work and transparency is what will make us succeed further, and if we get it wrong sometimes it will not be for the want of trying to do our best, as others have done.”

“We will succeed together, challenges have been identified, and solutions are either in place or will be very soon. It just remains for me to thank you for your continued support and if you would like to get involved further please contact the club.”