31 March 2023
NEW DEAL FOR WILLIAMS
Defender Matty Williams has signed a new extension to his contract that will take him until the end of the 2023/24 season. The 22-year-old defender arrived in the summer of 2021 and has gone on to make 71+4 appearances for Chester scoring eight goals.

Manager Calum McIntyre told the official club website: “His development this campaign has been tremendous and he has cemented himself as as good a defender as you will find in the National League North. “He is a player who has really impressed me as the season has progressed and someone I enjoy working with.”

“I’m really pleased that as a club we have been able to be proactive and secure one of our most talented players on a deal ahead of next season.”

Chester continued their push for the play-off’s with a convincing 2-0 victory at Blyth Spartans on Saturday, the scoreline would have been more emphatic but for a string of fine saves from Alex Mitchell in the home goal. The goals came either side of the break from Declan Weeks and a first Blues goal from Ollie Heywood. The win leaves Chester in third place ahead of another trip to the north-east and a match at play-off rivals Darlington next Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.

The victory at Blyth saw the Blues create a new club record of 18 consecutive away matches unbeaten which was previously held by the old club in the Cheshire County League way back in 1930-31, a tremendous achievement by all involved.

Several times this season Chester have scored vital goals in stoppage time at Deva Stadium, on Saturday it was the turn of visitors Scarborough to do likewise, their equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game denying Chester all three points from a pulsating game.

The Blues had taken an early lead through top scorer Kurt Willoughby firing home off the crossbar on 14 minutes. Both sides had chances following that, Alex Kenyon cleared one Seadogs effort off the line and Harry Tyrer produced a stunning save to deny Will Thornton.

The visitors found an equaliser on 76 minutes through a curling effort from Kieran Weledji though Blues fans were appealing for a foul on Iwan Murray during the build up.

With just three minutes remaining Charlie Caton restored the lead converting a cross form substitute Darren Stephenson that deflected into the net. But with the game three minutes into stoppage one final long through was launched into the Chester box and following a scramble ended in the back of the Blues net following a deflection.

The draw sees Chester remain in third place with just seven matches remaining. Next up is a trip to the north east on Saturday and a visit to Blyth Spartans, kick-off 15.00hrs.

It was a disappointing performance from Chester who suffered a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Peterborough Sports last night, the Cambridgeshire side completing the double over the Blues. With the games coming thick and fast, Manager Calum McIntyre made four changes from the side that drew at Leamington on Saturday. In came Alex Brown, Rhys Hughes, Lewis Earl and Adam Thomas at the expense of Ollie Heywood, Kevin Roberts, Anthony Dudley and Charlie Caton.

The only goal of the game came in first half stoppage time from a penalty after Declan Weeks was adjudged to have handled the ball while making a clearance. Josh McCammon sent Harry Tyrer the wrong way to score the resulting spot kick.

It was a frustrating night for Chester who rarely tested Peter Crook in the visitors goal.

Chester had to be content with draw from Saturday’s goalless draw at Leamington. The point keeps the Blues in third place as they push on to cement their place in the end of season play-off's. It's not the happiest of hunting grounds for Chester who have failed to win or even score in their four visits to the Co-op Community Stadium.

There were few chances of note throughout the 90 minutes with the best falling to Kurt Willoughby who on five minutes intercepted a poor back header, drew the goalkeeper, but pulled his shot inches wide of the post. Willoughby was in again less that ten minutes later latching on to a Iwan Murray through ball only to see his effort cross the keeper and again miss the far post by inches.

At the other end Harry Tyrer was called into action clearing off his line following a goalmouth scramble. On the hour mark a deep far post corner was missed by Tyrer and another scramble in thee City six yard box saw the ball eventually cleared right off the goalline.

Leamington’s West Bromwich Albion loanee goalkeeper Ted Cann was called into action late on first saving from a Willoughby free-kick then denying strike partner Charlie Carton with a smart save.

So Chester remain in third spot ahead of Tuesday night’s home match against Peterborough Sports, kick-off 19.45hrs.

Two home victories in four days, coupled with favourable results elsewhere, see Chester sit third in the league just three points behind leaders AFC Fylde and two behind King’s Lynn Town. The top two have games in hand, but also have to play each other.

The Blues started Saturday’s match against Banbury United in rampant fashion. It took just two minutes for Liam Hughes to open the scoring with winger Adam Thomas doubling the lead halfway through the first period. An injury to defender Liam Edwards resulted in a long period of added time during which Thomas added his second and Chester's third. The Blues had previously only scored three times in the first half at the Deva all season!

The Puritans had a goal disallowed following a foul on Harry Tyrer, before an own goal from Harrison Burke reduced the arrears on the hour mark and five minutes later added a second through a Kelvin Langmead header.

Victory was sealed in the last minute through leading scorer Kurt Willoughby who curled an exquisite free-kick into the top corner giving Banbury ‘keeper Ben Taylor no chance.

Chester followed up Saturday’s three points completing the double over Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday night. After a fairly quiet first period, it was Adam Thomas again who found the net to open the scoring seven minutes into the second half. Harriers were soon reduced to ten men with Nathaniel Knight-Percival being shown red for a foul on Harry Tyrer. Despite their man disadvantage Harriers enjoyed their best spell of the game, Iwan Murray making a superb block to deny a certain equaliser, and Tyrer making an exceptional save to deny Ashley Hemmings.

Charlie Caton settled the nerves and wrapped up the three points when he raced through to add a second goal two minutes from time.

Tuesday night’s victory at Edgar Street took the Blues unbeaten away run to 16 matches, a new record for the new club. The away record set pre-Chester FC is 17 matches in the Cheshire County League during the 1930/31 season.

Charlie Caton found the back of the net to give the Blues a 59th minute lead at Hereford, with the home side drawing level through Latty Fairweather on 74 minutes. However top scorer Kurt Willoughby restored the lead five minutes later turning home from close range after Matty Williams had seen a header come back off the crossbar.

The victory lifts Chester up to third spot in the league ahead of Saturday’s home match against Banbury United. It will be The Puritans first visit to Deva Stadium, kick-off 15.00hrs.