Steve Burr’s winning start came to an end wit a 3-0 defeat at play-off chasing Forest Green Rovers on Saturday. Chester nearly took an early lead through Craig Lindfield but the midfielder saw his point-blank shot saved by Sam Russell and the Blues were made to rue that missed chance. Conditions were far from ideal at the New Lawn as a swirling wind and driving rain in the opening half but Chester, backed by a fantastic traveling support of over 300, were undone by two goals from experienced striker Lee Hughes and a fine finish from James Norwood. Burr told the Chester Leader: “I felt first half we defended well in horrendous conditions and we definitely had the best chance of the first half and we didn’t take it and I think that could have changed things. That’s the difference and that's the fine margins.” “If opportunities come your way, you have got to stick them in and it does change things because it takes the pressure off our back four and us a team and it puts the pressure on them to score. Craig was obviously disappointed but really he should have found the back of the net.” • Table after Forest Green match Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Chester recorded a second successive victory with a 1-0 win over Woking and Kingfield on Tuesday night. Jamie Meenagh scored the all important goal on 29 minutes when he raced through onto a John Rooney through ball turned inside a defender and curled a shot past Mason Springthorpe in the cards goal and in off the far post. The Blues created numerous chances after the break to finish the hosts off but failed to extend their lead and had to endure a nervy final ten minutes as Woking pushed for an equaliser. The win moves Chester out of the bottom four at the expense of Southport. The Blues are next in action on Saturday when they travel to play 15th placed Forest Green Rovers, kick-off 15.00hrs. • Table after Woking match Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

John Rooney scored a hat-trick in his full debut as Chester won 4-0 at Runcorn Town in the first round of the Cheshire Senior Cup, Jamie Reed added the fourth goal. Caretaker manager Gary Jones will have been delighted with the way the tem responded since the departure of Neil Young though they would have been expected to come through the tie against their North West Counties League opponents. Rooney opened the scoring a minute before the interval following a Jamie Menagh pass. He then added a second on the stroke of half-time from the penalty spot after Tom Peers had been brought down in the area. Rooney turned provider to set Jamie Reed up for the third goal seven minutes after the break and completed his treble in the last minute with a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area. Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

Young was appointed the first manager of the reformed club on 21 May 2010 – the day after the historic launch meeting in the Guildhall, and arrived with his assistant Gary Jones from Colwyn Bay where they had guided the Unibond Division One North side to promotion via the play-off’s. Within a week he had made the clubs first five signings and a month later introduced himself and his new players to the fans as the club celebrated its 125th anniversary at the Chester racecourse. Led by Cestrian captain George Horan and with the help of Michael Wilde’s 36 goals, the following March Chester were crowned Evo-Stik Division One North champions following a nervy last match defeat at Garforth as the Blues just fought off second placed Skelmersdale on goal difference.

During the summer of 2011 Young dismantled much of his side to build a new X1 capable of winning the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. And win it they did smashing records along the way before finishing 17 points clear of second placed Northwich Victoria – reaching 100 points and 102 goals during the 4-0 victory over Marine in the last game of the season. Chris Simm top scored with 15 goals with full back Matty McGinn chipping in with 14 including a stunning equaliser against the Vics which sealed the title.

The end of season saw another transformation in the team ready to take on the challenge of the Conference North. Once again the record books were rewritten with the Blues embarking on a 30 matches unbeaten run during the season. Chester finished the season 16 points clear of their nearest rivals Guiseley, scoring a massive 103 goals and claiming 107 points along the way. During the season Young became full-time in his role after taking a one year sabbatical from his employers at Merseyrail. By returning to the Conference Premier Chester had achieved in three years what they set out to do in five! The Blues capped the season of by lifting the Cheshire Senior Cup for the first time since 1931/32 and saw midfield star Antoni Sarcevic pick up an England C cap before being sold to Fleetwood Town.

This season has proved the biggest challenge for all as the club attempts to compete in a league where many of our opponents are full time. The Blues lost the opening five matches of the campaign before a morale boosting 2-0 victory at neighbours Wrexham. However Chester have won only three more times since that August victory at the Racecourse and currently sit third from bottom, and two points from safety.

“Captaining the team on occasions in the absence of George was a great honour for me. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about the fans and how they’ve stuck behind the team. The management have been a pleasure to work with and the team spirit amongst the lads is something that should go a long way to keeping the club up this season.”

Former Chester City star Paul Comstive has died at the age of 52 after suffering from a heart attack. The Southport-born player signed from Bolton Wanderers for £10,000 in November 1991 and featured in 56 league games for the Blues scoring six times. Perhaps the best-remembered of these goals came in the first ever league game at the Deva Stadium when he rounded off the scoring as the Blues beat his former club Burnley 3-0 in September 1992. • Obituary