30 November 2004
CITY HOPING FOR TROPHY GLORY
City look to put Saturday’s disappointing defeat against Oxford United behind them tonight as they entertain rivals Wrexham in the northern quarter-final of the LDV Vans Trophy. Paul Carden returns to the squad following his one match ban but Michael Branch and Cortez Belle are both sidelined through injury and suspension for the match that will be played in front of a 5,000+ all-ticket crowd.

Wrexham have several players currently sidelined and will be without Hector Sam, a target for Ian Rush, if the club fail in their appeal after he received a red card on Saturday.

Manager Ian Rush was not a happy man following Saturday’s lacklustre 3-1 home defeat by Oxford United. The manager, who failed to bring in a loan striker for the game, watched as his side were beaten by a team who had lost on nine of their last ten outings. “They out-battled us and it was disappointing to see. I thought only four players did well and some of the more senior players should maybe look at their own performances.” bemoaned manager Rush.

Coupled with the defeat came another six bookings, and with it another FA fine, that takes the yellow card total so far this season to a staggering 50, plus two red cards. City currently have the worst disciplinary record in League Two by a long chalk. Suspensions loom next week now for three more players, Stewart Drummond, Phil Bolland and Ben Davies who all picked up their fifth bookings on Saturday. Cortez Belle is still suspended for three more games.

City entertain 21st placed Oxford United tomorrow for a League Two game at Deva Stadium, kick-off 15:00hrs.

Manager Ian Rush has managed to secure the services of Leeds United’s 18-year-old player Andrew Keogh on loan to cover for the striker shortage that has seen the forward line reduced in recent weeks from five players to just one, Kevin Rapley. Keogh, who had loan spell at Scunthorpe United last season, is expected to go straight into the side tomorrow.

Opponents Oxford are on a disastrous run that has seen them lose nine out of their last ten games to slump to 21st in League Two. Their only victory in that period has come over Chelteham Town and captain Steve Basham describes the match for the U’s on Saturday at the Deva as a “massive game”. Oxford have dispensed with the services of manager Graham Rix during the slump with coach Darren Patterson currently in charge of the side.

The teams last met at in the second round of the FA Cup in December 2000 in what was arguably one of the most exciting games ever at the Deva Stadium. City, in the Conference at the time, came back from 0-2 to beat United 3-2 with a goals from Paul Beesley and a brace from Steve Whitehall to set-up a money spinning third round tie at Blackburn Rovers.

Tomorrow is the first game of three in a crucial week for City. On Tuesday they entertain Wrexham in the northern-section quarter-final, followed by an FA Cup second round tie at Conference high-flyers Halifax Town on Saturday.

Chester City: Ryan Brookfield, Adam Wade, Nathan Humphries (Mark Cadwallader 46), Karl Carney, Dave McCoy, James Scales, James Salkeld, Wayne Morgan, Shaun Whalley, Paul Rutherford, Mattie Humphreys (Kenny Rollinson 46). Subs not used: Dave Kellett, Stephen Brown, Warren Adams.

Striker Cortez Belle has received a four match ban following his second straight red card of the season after fouling Pedj Bojic at Northampton Town on Friday night. The striker will now sit out the matches against Oxford United, Wrexham, Halifax Town and Bristol Rovers. With Michael Branch still weeks away from full fitness, manager Ian Rush must now step-up his search for a loan striker(s) to play alongside Kevin Rapley.

Belle was dismissed minutes after Kevin Ellison had equalised for City with a terrific 30-yard free-kick at Northampton Town last night, to the delight of the 300+ noisy Blues fans, after Kevin Rapley had been fouled outside the box.

Two players from Ryman League Division One side AFC Wimbledon, Micky Woolner and Rob Ursell, will join Chester this week for training.

“If Chester want to sign them, then I’ll have to discuss the situation with the chairman,” said AFC manager Dave Anderson. “I wouldn’t stand in anyone’s way of making it as a professional. I want players to progress and further their careers. But pro clubs can’t just take who they want for nothing and it will take some money to prise them away.”

Good luck to Daryl Clare who has signed what’s believed to be a 2½ year contract for the Pilgrims today.

He’s expected to go straight into the squad for their game against Mansfield Town tomorrow. Interestingly it’s reported that City have stipulated, as part of the transfer agreement, that the striker must not play against Chester in a competitive match for the remainder of the season.

After completing his transfer Clare reflected on his time at Chester.

“Last Saturday’s FA Cup match at Stafford was very emotional for me because I knew it was my last for Chester City. But I left Chester on good terms and I thoroughly enjoyed the last two years I spent at Chester. I’d like to think I gave the club good service and I’ll never forget the support and best wished I received from Chester supporters when my children were poorly.

I don’t want there to be any bad feelings and I hope I receive a good reception when I next return to Chester.

The move back to Boston was the best option for me and my family. Steve Evans, the Boston manager was always loyal to me and I’ve chosen the opportunity to return.

Following last weeks 3-1 home win over Whitley Bay in the FA Youth Cup, City have been handed a tough second round fixture with an away tie at Blackpool.

The attendance at the Deva of 441, boosted by the production of Wrexham ticket vouchers, was the fifth highest of the round.

Tickets go on sale later this week for the forthcoming LDV Vans Trophy area quarter-final tie with Wrexham.

Season Ticket holders using Voucher B and those who have a voucher issued at the recent youth cup match can pick up their tickets (1 per person) on Thursday between 10.00-19:00hrs.

On Friday tickets will go on general sale (also 1 per person) between 10.00-15.00hrs.

On Monday 22nd remaining tickets will go on general sale, between 10:00-16:00hrs with no limitation on numbers per person.

According to Carlisle United manager Phil Simpson, City striker Daryl Clare is thinking over a move to the Cumbrian side this weekend.

Simpson said: “We are the only club to have made an offer for the player that has been accepted by Chester. I haven’t made him an offer yet but we had a good chat with Daryl and he wants the weekend to think it over. He has scored goals that have got Conference teams promoted in the past, but when it comes to League football they have tended to move him on. I hope to speak to him again next week.”

Chester have received an improved bid from Conference side Carlisle United for City striker Daryl Clare described as “acceptable” by chairman Steve Vaughan.

Chester lost 3-0 at Altrincham tonight in the quarter-final of the Cheshire Senior Cup. Goalkeeper Wayne Brown played his first game since injuring his calf prior to the Rushden & Diamonds game but it’s unclear if he’ll be back to full fitness for Saturday’s FA Cup trip to Stafford Rangers.

Tonight’s team consisted mainly of reserves and fell behind to an early goal at Moss Lane. The Blues spurned an opportunity to equalise after the break and were punished soon after as the home side ran in two more goals to seal victory.

Chester have been drawn at home to Wrexham in the area quarter-final of the LDV Vans Trophy. The game, which will be all-ticket, will take place on Tuesday 30 November.

The two sides have met in the competition before in 1986/7 when Chester won 3-1 at the Racecourse with goals from Graham Barrow, Derek Fazackerley and Stuart Rimmer, to set up the northern final against Mansfield Town.

City entertain second placed Leyton Orient at Deva Stadium tomorrow (15:00hrs) in what should be a cracking game. Striker Cortez Belle

The football club have amended their ticket selling arrangements for the forthcoming FA Cup Tie at Stafford Rangers. Tickets will now go on sale immediately after Saturday’s home game with Leyton Orient. There will be two queues at the ticket office, one for season ticket holders the other for non-season ticket holders.

Season ticket holders must produce Voucher A, it’s strictly one ticket per A Voucher. Non-season ticket may purchase one ticket per person. All sales are by cash only.

Prices are £14.00 for adults (stand, no concessions – not many seats are available) and £12.00 (terrace, £7.00 concessions).

City’s 1-0 win over Rochdale last night took them to the last eight of the northern section of the LDV Vans Trophy. Other teams in Saturday morning’s draw are: Blackpool (holders), Hartlepool United, Hereford United, Macclesfield Town, Oldham Athletic, Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham. The draw for the area quarter-finals will take place on the SKY Soccer AM, with the games scheduled to take place in the week commencing Monday 29 November.

Manager Ian Rush is to remain at Deva Stadium. Rush, who has been heavily linked with the Welsh international job over the weekend held talks with club officials yesterday after he was given permission to speak the the Football Association of Wales at the end of last week.

Speaking in his column in the Liverpool Echo today, Rush said he was “flattered to be linked with the Welsh job” and found himself in a very difficult position with recent developments coming out of the blue.

Rush went on to say: “I made sure I didn’t rush my decision and having a great relationship with my chairman helped me make the commitment to stay. My main focus remains helping Chester move towards the play-off places and I intend to be the manager at the Deva Stadium for a long time to come.”

City entertain Rochdale tonight at Deva Stadium, kick-off 19:45hrs, in a second round LDV Vans Trophy match. The Blues will be without the suspended Cortez Belle for the tie, Daryl Clare is expected to take his place in the starting line-up.

Chairman Steve Vaughan and chief executive Dave Burford have held talks today with manager Ian Rush, and a statement will be made regarding the outcome of these talks at a 12:00hrs news conference on Wednesday.

Club secretary Tony Allan confirmed: “Ian has been meeting with Stephen Vaughan and David Burford, our chief executive, today and there will be a press conference at midday on Wednesday with regards to Ian’s future at the club.

Chester have drawn Stafford Rangers away in the first round of the FA Cup. The tie will take place at Marston Road on Saturday 13 November. This tie is ALL-TICKET. The ground capacity is 3,200 and City are hoping to receive around 900 tickets for the game (800 terrace, 100 seats). Details will be announced shortly.