Chester fell to a second successive home defeat as former manager’s Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley brought their Spennymoor Town side to Deva Stadium and went away back to the north east with a 2-0 victory. Moors took the lead as early as the sixth minute through Rob Ramshaw following a through ball from Jordan Thewlis. Wyll Stanway in the Blues goal produced a fine save to deny Glen Taylor from doubling the lead from the penalty spot after referee Ben Wyatt awarded a dubious spot-kick following a foul on Thewlis.

Rob Apter was unfortunate to see a fine effort hit the inside of the post and roll along the goal line before being cleared as the Blues looked to start the second period strongly. However, just ten minutes into the second period Spennymoor doubled their lead to seal the three points through Thewlis.


Picture © Rick Matthews

“It is not just this game, it is since I have got here. I have said it a number of times, I have heard the previous manager say the same thing and we are now 30 odd games in, and we have not learned from Day One by the looks of things.”

“That is alarming and it is really disappointing because no doubt I will be doing completely different things to whoever was here before me. But we don’t seem to be learning the lessons. That is what you have to question.”

“I am going to say the goals are terrible and, as much as they were, but also for how many chances we created and how many good moves we had into the box, we have relied on two young lads to go and head the ball into the back of the net.”

“So, we have to take collective responsibility about putting the game to bed.”

“They had one chance in the first half where the keeper made a good save up close, but we had four or five. We could have been going in 4-1 up after the first half if people had taken their chances properly and with more quality and composure. Then it is a different story again.”

The club have announced that 19-year-old defender Harrison Burke has had his contract extended until 2024. Following a successful loan spell at Clitheroe, the academy graduate has so far made 2+2 appearances for the first team this season, scoring a memorable goal on his full debut against Southport recently. Picture © Rick Matthews

Marcus Dackers’ loan deal from Salford City has been extended by another month. The 19-year-old forward has made 4+1 appearances scoring two goals in his stay at Deva Stadium so far. Picture © Rick Matthews

Despite taking an early lead through on-loan striker Marcus Dackers, Chester suffered a 2-1 defeat at a windswept Blackwell Meadows on Saturday. Dackers opened the scoring on 17 minutes with a composed finish after Declan Weeks’ effort had been parried by home ‘keeper Tommy Taylor.

The lead lasted only five minutes through before Junior Mondal chipped over Wyll Stanway to draw Darlo level. The home side took the lead just before the hour mark through a run and shot from George Smith. Chester pressed for an equaliser with both substitute Okera Simmonds and Matty Williams forcing saves from Taylor but it was to prove another fruitless trip to the north east for the Blues.

Chester are back at home on Saturday with the visit of Hereford, kick-off 15.00hrs. This is followed on Tuesday by the return of former managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley as they bring their Spennymoor Town side to Deva Stadium, kick-off 19.45hrs.


Picture © Rick Matthews

• League table after this match | Match photographs | Match highlights [YouTube]

“Andrew tendered his resignation on Saturday evening and the board wishes to place on record its collective gratitude and appreciation for his significant contribution. We thank him for agreeing to a handover period to ensure an orderly transition, and wish Andrew the very best for the future.”

“Unfortunately, it is not something I can continue to do for the next 18 months of my tenure.”

“Similarly, I would not wish to do the club a disservice by not fully committing to working for the club whilst being on the board. With that said, I will continue to support the board through a period of handover.”

A fantastic goal from Harrison Burke on his full debut sent Chester on their way to a convincing 5-0 victory over sixth placed Southport at Deva Stadium on Saturday. The introduction of Burke, for James Horsfield, was the only change to the side that held Brackley Town in midweek, and the young blue had a composed debut capping it off with the opening goal from long range on 31 minutes.

The game was wrapped up early in the second period as goals by Marcus Dackers, his first for the club, and the much improved Darren Stephenson (pictured) saw the Blues race into a 3-0 lead on 55 minutes. Man of the Match Declan Weeks added a fourth on 70 minutes before the impressive winger Rob Apter wrapped up the scoring six minutes later.

The victory lifted Chester one place to 15th in the table. They will be looking to take the momentum they’ve built at home this week on the road with them on Saturday when they travel to Darlington who sit one place below them. Kick-off 15.00hrs.


Picture © Rick Matthews

• League table after this match | Match photographs | Match highlights [YouTube]

Former Chester City striker Steve Finney has sadly passed away at the age of 48 after a short illness. Steve was playing part-time football for Barrow when he was given an opportunity to return to the Football League by Terry Smith who signed him for Chester in October 1999. He went on to make 13 Football League appearances, including 9 from the bench, and was one of the players retained by Graham Barrow for the first season in the Conference. Alongside Paul Carden he was the only player to start the last game in the Football League, against Peterborough, and the first fixture in the Conference, against Rushden and Diamonds, and he made a further four starts and five substitute appearances before being released in late 2000. • Obituary

“I thought Rowan Roache had some really good moments to say that he is a really good, clever footballer. He played some great passes in the first half and I thought Marcus got better as the game went on again.”

“It was tough for him up there on his own. You wanted Rowan to be in and around him but, because of the way they play, it is difficult to throw another man that far forward when you are under quite a lot of pressure with the ball.”

“He ran himself into the ground. I think the two of them gave us everything they got. For both of them, I think it is a tempo of football that they are still getting used to.”

Chester are back at Deva Stadium on Saturday for the visit of Southport, kick-off 15.00hrs.


Picture © Rick Matthews

“You know how Boston are going to play. They are going to be dynamic and direct. Most of Tuesday night was working on defending the box, defending second balls. One v one individual defending.”

“And it is if it just fell on deaf ears to them the way we defended in the first half. But for the first time since I have been here, we didn’t pose a threat at the other end either. That was as disappointing.”

“But you can’t give teams in this league three goals head start and expect to get anything out of the game. So, the second half was all about trying to win the second half and seeing if we could get the first goal.”

“But again another individual error led to their goal. Of course, we did more in the second half but it is easy to play well when you are 4-0 down. It is easy because the game is lost.”

Chester are back in action on Tuesday night when they have a home game against second placed Brackley Town, kick-off 19.45hrs.


Picture © Rick Matthews