News from Deva Stadium January 2016

29 January 2016
TWO MORE FORWARDS
Chester have signed former Ipswich Town player James Alabi untl the end of the season. The 21-year-old forward was relesed by the Suffolk club this week. He has been on loan at Grimsby Town earlier in the season when he scored two goals in five appearances. Meanwhile forward Nyal Bell has joined on a one month loan from Rochdale.

28 January 2016
LOANS EXTENDED
Northwich Victoria defender Ryan Astles who is currently on a one month loan has had his loan extended until the end of the season. He made his debut in the Cheshire Senior Cup against Hyde United and also started against Southport last Saturday. Ryan Lloyd has also had his loan from Port Vale extended until the end of the season.

20 January 2016
CHESTER SIGN GOALKEEPER
Goalkeeper Tony Thompson has signed a deal to stay at Chester until the end of the season. Liverpool born Thompson (21) was previously at Morecambe and left the Lancashire club two weeks ago, he has been training with Chester since. He made two appearances for Morecambe and has previously had a loan spell at Southport.

Leaving the club is Dylan Forth who was released after playing in last night’s match against Hyde United.

BLUES PROGRESS IN CHESHIRE CUP

Chester will be at home to either Warrington Town or Northwich Manchester Villa in the second round of the Cheshire Senior Cup following last nights 3-0 win over Hyde United.

Two goals from Sam Hughes and another from Steven Hewitt saw the Blues coast to victory. Three players made their debuts in the Chester shirt, Ryan Astles and youth team players Kieran Evans and Matty Waters. Oliver Nugent made a debut later in the game from the subs bench.

Our second round opponents should be known on 26 January when their tie is played.

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Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

PEERS RECALLED
Tom Peers has been recalled from his loan spell at Hednesford Town. Meanwhile the club will not be extending the loan spell of Danny Hattersley who will return to FC Halifax Town at the end of the week.

18 January 2016
FA TROPHY DRAW
Chester have been drawn away to either FC Halifax Town or Barrow in the third round of the FA Trophy. The tie will take place on Saturday 6 February with £7,000 prize money. FC Halifax Town are due to play Barrow tomorrow night.

The full draw:

Torquay United v Truro City or Macclesfield Town
Grimsby Town v Havant & Waterlooville
Gateshead v AFC Fylde
FC Halifax Town or Barrow v Chester
Woking v Oxford City or Cheltenham Town
Dover Athletic v Guiseley
Sutton United v Bognor Regis Town or Altrincham
Bradford Park Avenue or Nantwich Town v Stourbridge

17 January 2016
REARRANGED MATCHES
Chester will play their Cheshire Senior Cup first round home match against Hyde United next Tuesday (19 January), kick-off 19.45hrs. The winners of the tie will be home to either Warrington Town or Northwich Manchester Villa in the second round.

The away league match at Altrincham that was postponed on Boxing Day will now take place at Moss Lane on Tuesday 16 February, kick-off 19.45.

Chester’s progress to the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday 6 February will mean that the scheduled home game against Aldershot Town on that date will have to be rearranged for later in the season.

BLUES PROGRESS IN TROPHY

Second half goals from Jordan Chapell, Ross Hannah, Jonny Hunt and Jason Gilchrist gave Chester victory over Southern League side Hungerford Town in the second round of the FA Trophy on Saturday.

The game was much tougher than the scoreline would suggest with The Crusaders holding their own during a scrappy first half. However during the second period the visitors were reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Scott Rees for two yellow cards soon after Chapell’s opening goal.

Two goals in as many minutes from Hannah and Hunt wrapped up the tie before substitute Gilchrist added the fourth in the final minute.

The draw for the third round will take place on Monday.

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Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

16 January 2016
THOMSON SOLD TO FC UNITED
Following a successful loan spell where he has scored five goals in eight matches, midfielder George Thomson has joined FC United of Manchester for an undisclosed fee.

FULL TIME ROLE FOR YOUTH COACH
Thanks to a sponsorship funding deal from Swettenham Chemists, Academy Head Coach Calum McIntyre will now be working full time at the club for the next six months. The funding will be reviewed after that period. McIntyre, who is a UEFA Licensed coach has worked with the youth set-up at the club for five seasons and will start his full-time role on 25 January.

Calum said: “I am delighted to be making this move. I’ve been working with the Youth for the previous five seasons and have loved every minute. I’ve worked with so many great people and players and I’m delighted that I’ve got this opportunity to develop things further.”

“Our Academy is a huge part of the club and I’m looking forward to taking it to the next level. I love this football club and I’m incredibly grateful to Swettenham Chemists for giving me this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started and look forward to producing even more success for the Academy.”

15 January 2016
BLUES LOOK FOR TROPHY SUCCESS
Chester will be looking to progress into the third round of the FA Trophy on Saturday at the expense of Hungerford Town. The Blues can expect a tough game from The Crusaders who currently lie sixth in the Southern League and beat Corinthian Casuals 2-1 away in the first round. They are in fine form having lost just once in their previous ten games.

Manager Steve Burr could make changes to the side that last 3-1 at Aldershot Town in Saturday. The Blues have won just once in nine league matches, poor form that has seen them slide towards the relegation zone.

Luke George, who recently took over the captain’s armband from Ian Sharps told the Chester Chronicle: “It’s a potential banana skin if you like but the gaffer will have it in the lads head that you’ve got give Hungerford respect. They’ve earned that and they’re in this round for a reason so we won’t be going out thinking ‘we’ll win this game easily’ and we'll prepare and be ready to play the game as if we were playing anyone else.”

The winners of the tie will receive £6,000 in prize money.

13 January 2016
TROPHY ADMISSION
Admission prices for Saturday’s FA Trophy Second Round home game against Hungerford Town have been set at £10.00 for adults, £8.00 concession, £5.00 for ages 16 to 19, £2.00 for under-16s and free for children under five. The reductions were agreed between the two clubs.

12 January 2016
MATCH OFF
Tonight’s home Cheshire Senior Cup match against Hyde United has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

8 January 2016
TWO LOAN SIGNINGS
Chester have signed 21-year-old Burnley forward Jason Gilchrist on a one month emergency loan, the striker is getting back to full fitness having broken his ankle in a pre-season friendly. The Blues have also signed 22-year-old defender Ryan Astles from Northwich Victoria on a non-contract basis.

4 January 2015
TWO POINTS DROPPED

Chester were left to rue a string of missed chances as they drew their home match against Altrincham. In-form striker Ross Hannah notched his 16th goal of the season to give Chester a deserved lead after 20 minutes but Robins striker Michael Rankine leveled matters after beating Jon Worsnop to a cross to head the equaliser on 60 minutes. The draw saw Chester slip to 15th with just one league victory in eight matches.

Manager Steve Burr thought he Blues should have wrapped up the points in the first half. “The game should have been killed-off at half-time and I gave the lads a message during the break that one mistake or lapse of concentration could cost us and it did.”

“If we had been more clinical then we would have won the game comfortably because I thought we were the best team, but if you don't put the ball in the net then you're not going to win games. There were lots of chances and our delivery into the penalty box was excellent but we should have added to the one goal we got. I expected Jon Worsnop to punch the ball that came into his area that led to their goal and I know that he’s disappointed with it himself.”

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Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

3 January 2016
CHESHIRE SENIOR CUP
Chester’s home first round Cheshire Senior Cup match against Hyde United will take place on Tuesday 12 January, kick-off 19.45hrs.

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