News from Deva Stadium January 2024

31 January 2024
GROUND CAPACITY INCREASED
The ground capacity at Chester has been increased to 4,361 following a meeting of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG). The capacity had previously been reduced by SAG following the dissorder that took place after the play-off match with Brackley Town at the end os last season.

This increase in capacity means that fans now have the option to pay at the turnstiles (card/contactless payments) for the Harry McNally Terrace on Saturday against Banbury United, with the remaining stands to follow from the next home fixture against Scarborough.

29 January 2024
STALEMATE AT THE WALKS
Chester and Kings Lynn Town had to settle for a point each as the sides fought out a goalless draw at The Walks on Saturday. It was a game of very few chances, Charlie Caton put an effort wide whille The Linnets failed to have a single effort of goal for the entire first half! Wyll Stanway was finally called into action ten minutes after the restart saving well from Greg Taylor. Chester almost snatched all three points late on but Paul Jones saved from both Caton and Elliott Whitehouse to ensure the points were shared.

• Table after King’s Lynn draw

24 January 2024
PEERS AT THE DOUBLE
Two first half goals from striker Tom Peers gave Chester a deserved win over play-off rivals Chorley at Victory Park. Just over 300 Blues fans made the trip and were rewarded in the fifth minute as Peers converted a Charlie Caton pass past Matt Urwin in the Magpies goal.

The Blues created several chances before Peers struck again seven minutes before half-time beating Urwin with a long range effort into the bottom corner.

The Blues will be looking to make it three wins in a week when they travel down to King’s Lynn Town on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.

22 January 2024
BLUES BEAT THE FREEZE
On a day that saw many National League North matches fall foul of the winter frost, Chester got back to winning ways with a 2-0 home victory over bottom of the table Bishop’s Stortford.

An excellent debut from Jid Okeke saw him pick of the Player of the Match award as second half goals from George Glendon, and a first for the club by Christian Norton, with the last kick of the game, finally saw off their opponents. Things may have been different early on but for a miss by Kane Crichlow who blazed over the bar when well placed to open the scoring in the opening period.

• Latest table after Bishop’s Stortford victory

19 January 2024
DEFENDER SIGNS ON LOAN
Chester have signed 19-year-old defender Jid Okeke on a youth loan from Stockport County. The German-born player has signed on a six week deal and comes in at a time that sees Kieran Coates ruled out of action through injury.

17 January 2024
FRUSTRATED BLUES
The Blues were left frustrated when they failed to capitalise on Saturday’s victory as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Buxton last night. The visitors scored in the second minute through Sam Osborne. Despite plenty of possession Chester found chances at a premium and failed to really test goalkeeper Joe Young in the visitors’ goal all night.

14 January 2024
BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Chester recorded their first win of the year with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Gloucester City on Saturday. The Blues opened the scoring on the stroke of half time as Iwan Murray found the net following a smart short corner routine. Striker Tom Peers, returning from injury, doubled the lead ten minutes into the second half before captain George Glendon completed the scoring just after the hour mark. The Blues will be looking to build on this viceroy when they are back at home on Tuesday night against Buxton, kick-off 19.45hrs.

9 January 2024
DUO RETURN FROM LOAN
Two players have returned to Chester following loan spells away. Forward Zack Clarke has been at Caernarfon Town where he scored eight goals this season in the Welsh Premier League. Meanwhile defender Nathan Woodthorpe is also back from his loan spell at Marine where he scored one goal and made 31 appearances for the Crosby based club.

8 January 2024
HOME DEFEAT
Chester were beaten 1-0 at home by a well-organised Rushall Olympic side on Saturday to slip out of the play-off places. The only goal of the game came on 33 minutes through Rico Browne heading home from a corner. The Blues created little until the final ten minutes that saw Kole Hall have a volley blocked and Kevin Roberts send an effort over the bar from six yards out.

5 January 2024
BURKE EXTENDS CONTRACT

Defender Harrison Burke has signed a new two and and half year deal at Chester. The 21-year-old defender graduated through the academy to the first team and signed professional terms in October 2020. He has gone on to make 67+13 appearances for the first team, scoring seven goals.

Manager Calum McIntyre told the club’s official website: “To have secured a player as important to us as Harrison until 2026 is really pleasing for everyone at the club.”

“Harrison has cemented himself as a key figure in the first team and being a home grown Academy product, is someone that the fans have developed a real affinity with.”

“I have no doubts that Harrison will play at a higher level and everyone looks forward to the next chapter of his journey.”

Picture © Rick Matthews

2 January 2024
POOR START TO THE NEW YEAR
Chester turned in a performance to forget as they were beaten 1-0 at Warrington Town on New Year’s Day. The 400 soaked Chester fans in the capacity crowd of 2,000 had very little to cheer as the Blues failed to force home goalkeeper Daniel Atherton into a single save in the 90 minutes.

The only goal of the game came in the fourth minute as a teasing cross in from the left by Andy White was turned home at the second attempt from close range by Josh Amis. The hosts almost doubled their advantage just before half-time with Connor Woods seeing an effort come back off the post.

Chester will look to put this performance behind them when they are next in action with a home game against Rushall Olympic on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.

TWO PLAYERS RECALLED
Tom Sparrow has been recalled by Stoke City following his loan spell at Chester, the defender made 12+0 appearances for the Blues. Also leaving after his loan spell is Frankie Maguire who returns to Sheffield United after making 4+6 appearances on loan.

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