October 2007 News

31 October 2007
HEAVY DEFEAT FOR RESERVES
The reserves conceded five goals again tonight when they lost at home to Morecambe 0-5. This follows last weeks 5-1 defeat at Manchester City. First team players Kevin Sandwith, Tony Grant, Nathan Lowndes, Simon Yeo and Phil Bolland all played and Bolland received a second half red card.

30 October 2007
NOMINATION FOR BOBBY
City manager Bobby Williamson is one of four managers nominated for the League Two Manager of the Month award. City won three and drew two of their five league matches during the month, the only defeat coming at League One side Carlisle United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Also nominated are Paul Ince (MK Dons), Paul Fairclough (Barnet) and Mark Robbins (Rotherham United). The winner will be announced at 12:20 on Thursday 1 November on Sky Sports News.

Postscript: The award went to Paul Ince.

IMPS APPOINTMENT
Friday night’s League Two opponents Lincoln City have today appointed former Chester City favourite Peter Jackson as their new manager.

27 October 2007
CITY MEET BANTAMS

The first round draw of the FA Cup has paired City with fellow League Two side Bradford City. The Blues must travel to Yorkshire on Saturday 10 November just four days after the two sides meet at Valley Parade for a League Two clash.

The sides last met in the competition at the same stage back in 1993/94 when Chester drew 0-0 at Valley Parade before a Chris Lightfoot goal brought a 1-0 home victory in the replay at Deva Stadium and a second round tie with Hull City.

BOBBY UNHAPPY AS CITY ARE HELD

City manager Bobby Williamson was unhappy with referee Graham Horwood who allowed Wycombe’s first goal from Sergio Torres in Saturday’s 2-2 draw after overruling linesman Amy Raynor’ raised offside flag.

“The referee comes over to the linesman, overrules her and I just don’t understand it. There were three guys standing in front of the keeper and the ball was in the net – how they are not interfering with play I cannot get my head around.”

“It’s a stupid rule and a rule made up by people who can’t play football and don’t know much about the game. They just want to see the ball going into the back of the net, whether it’s fair or unfair. We allowed them to get back into the game – we have plenty to work on.”

City responded to that early controversial goal well as a first League goal for Chris Holroyd and a John Murphy header gave the Blues the lead at half-time. But the visitors responded just after the hour mark as John Sutton headed home the equaliser.

With leaders Milton Keynes Dons suffering an unexpected 2-0 home defeat to Stockport County, City remain in second place four points behind the Dons and a point ahead of third placed Darlington.

Picture: Sue Choularton

26 October 2007
INVESTMENT TALKS STILL ONGOING
Talks are continuing between club chairman Steve Vaughan and the Spanish based management company ISM who are interested in investing in the club. Although there is no deadline in place Vaughan is concerned that the talks are taking much longer than anticipated. He said: “The whole process has taken slightly longer than we initially envisaged because our main motive is to do the right thing for Chester City and secure its long-term future. The talks this week, among other things, have centred on the level of funding and plans to take the club to the next stage of its development.”

24 October 2007
PARTRIDGE BRACE LIFTS CITY

Two great second half goals from Richie Partridge gave City their fifth away victory of the season on Saturday, a win that listed the Blues to second place in League Two, four points behind leaders Milton Keynes Dons. The Blues fell a goal behind in first half stoppage time as Paul Tierney sent in a near post shot that Danby fumbled but recovered to save, the linesman however decided the whole of the ball had crossed the line and flagged a goal!

Seven minutes after the break City were level as Partridge received a pass from Kevin Ellison, cut in side and shot into the top corner giving Conrad Logan no chance in the County goal. The winner, nine minutes from time, was a similar effort that saw Partridge cut inside on the left and curled a great effort into the top corner in front of the delighted 700+ away following.

Boss Bobby Williamson was delighted with Partridge’s contribution, he said: “Richie took his two goals really well and we were very pleased for him. Richie has quite rightly done well for us for a while now and he showed how well he can cut in from the left wing and bend the ball in with his right foot.”

“He has a great technique, he’s a great pro, and he’s a pleasure to work with. He works his socks off for the cause and though he’s never going to be the strongest in tackles, I don’t expect him to do that. We just appreciate what he can do well, and that’s putting the ball in the box and in the back of the net.”

The Blues are back at Deva Stadium on Saturday when eighth placed Wycombe Wanderers are the visitors, kick-off 15:00hrs.

Picture © Evening Leader

CONSOLATION FOR NATHAN
On his comeback from injury, Nathan Lowndes scored a consolation goal for the reserves who were beaten 5-1 in a Pontins League game at Manchester City yesterday.

• Reserve fixtures | Stats

22 October 2007
YOUTH TEAM DEFEAT
The youth team were beaten 3-0 at Morecambe on Saturday in a Youth Alliance Cup match. The teams first round opponents in the FA Youth Cup will be Marine who beat Ashton Athletic 2-1 in the Third Qualifying round. The match will be played away.

19 October 2007
YEO DOUBT FOR CITY

City are still waiting to hear if striker Simon Yeo (left) will be fit for tomorrow’s League Two match at Stockport County. Yeo picked up a foot injury shortly after he opened the scoring in last Friday’s match with Hereford United. The Blues will leave it late to make a decision but the player must be a major doubt. Teenager Paul McManus, who was subject of an enquiry from Ipswich Town in the week, could be in line for another start, while Tony Dinning will be facing the club he left in the summer.

Manager Bobby Williamson said: “I’m going to wait and see how he is before the match, but I’ll give him every opportunity to declare himself fit, but it’s not looking good and time is definitely not on his side. Simon is the only player who is struggling apart from the players within the squad who are out with long term injuries.”

City have no further injury doubts as they make the short journey across the county to a ground where success has been hard to come by in recent years, the last win at Edgeley Park was way back in 1991.

The Blues have an excellent away record this season though, picking up four wins and a draw for their away travels so far, and there’s sure to be a good following of City fans there tomorrow.

The home side have made the news this week by suspending striker Anthony Elding for seven days for allegedly trying to secure a move to another club and they have Gareth Owen, Rob Clare, Gianluca Havern and former Chester player Michael Rose are missing through injury.

Picture © Evening Leader

FA YOUTH CUP
The youth team have been given an away tie in the first round of the FA Youth Cup to either Ashton Athletic or Marine. Those two sides meet in the Third Qualifying round on 23 October.

17 October 2007
RESERVES LOSE AT ROVERS
The reserves lost 2-1 at Tranmere Rovers tonight in a Pontins League Cup Group 1 match. Kevin Sandwith scored the consolation goal from a free kick five minutes from time.

• Reserve fixtures

14 October 2007
BLUES DENIED CHANCE TO GO TOP

Chester had to be content with a share of the spoils on Friday night as they let a one goal advantage slip to draw with Hereford United. The highest home crowd of the season, 3,400, had come to see if City could take all three points to lead League Two.

City had the better of the first half creating numerous half chances but it was 58 minutes before substitute Simon Yeo gave them the lead, firing home from close range after the Bulls defence failed to clear from a Richie Partridge cross had caused problems. Not long after Yeo departed with a badly bruised foot that will make him doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Stockport County.

Graham Turner brought on tricky winger Lionel Ainsworth and that gave the visitors fresh impetus and City found themselves on the back foot for a long period as Toumani Diagouraga scored the equaliser 13 minutes from time. The game flowed from end to end, Danby saving well from Theo Robinson at the near post to deny the visitors all three points while, in the dying minutes, Dinning saw a long-range effort saved well low down by former City shot-stopper Wayne Brown.

After the draw manager Bobby Williamson reflected: “It was an entertaining game and was end to end. We are disappointed because their equaliser came after Paul Linwood had attempted to clear, the ball bounced around before their lad touched it home. There are a number of positives to take from the game. Youngster Paul McManus did well and it must be remembered that Hereford are a quality side.

We were a bit disappointed about dropping two points at home, but Hereford played well. I think it would have been far more difficult if we had conceded the first goal, but we got the first goal and it was something to hang on to, but the toll of so many games over the last few weeks took its toll and we suffered. Both Hereford and ourselves tried to play football and to be honest I haven’t seen anyone who hasn’t played good football in our division.”

Picture © Evening Leader

12 October 2007
BLUES TOP CHANCE

City entertain second placed Hereford United at Deva Stadium tonight looking for three more points to lift them to the top of League Two. Manager Bobby Williamson has no fresh injury doubts following the midweek defeat at Carlisle United. Like City, Hereford have started the campaign with an impressive away record that also boasts four victories from five games. Williamson is expected to recall the experienced Paul Butler, Kevin Ellison and John Murphy to the side – all were rested in midweek.

Ahead of tonight’s clash Williamson said: “I’ll be viewing a win against Hereford as a benchmark, but I’ll also be judging our players and see how they deal with certain situations, whether we’re at the top, middle or bottom of the League. Our more experienced players have done their bit to put us where we are, but it has been very much a squad effort. Every player in the squad is pulling their weight at the moment, but we can’t allow that to drop. I feel the players have got to sustain that same effort not just for two or three games, but for 20 games, if we’re going to stand any chance of doing anything this season.”

Tonight’s match kick’s-off at 19:45hrs.

10 October 2007
RESERVES MINI DERBY
The reserves drew their Pontins Holiday League home game with Wrexham tonight 0-0.

Pictures © Evening Leader

• Reserve fixtures | Stats

TROPHY DEFEAT

Despite goals from Richie Partridge and Chris Holroyd, his first senior goal for the club, City were beaten 4-2 at Carlisle United last night in the second regional round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

After the defeat, the first on their travels this season, manager Bobby Williamson said: “The team I put out on the park should have been good enough to have won the game at Carlisle. I thought Paul McManus and Glenn Rule both did well and it was good to see them both on the park. I enjoyed the game at Carlisle, but I was obviously disappointed in the manner we conceded the goals. I felt they were all defendable, some of our players were at fault and we handed Carlisle their goals on a plate really.”

8 October 2007
HOME WIN LIFTS CITY

Chester turned in a great second half performance to score three times to beat Shrewsbury Town and move third in League Two yesterday. Richie Partridge, John Murphy and Simon all found the net with former player Darren Moss briefly equalising for the Shrews in a hectic eleven minute period. Tony Dinning made a debut in midfield and there was also a debut from the bench for striker Paul McManus.

Manager Bobby Williamson was naturally delighted after seeing his team move third on goal difference behind Friday’s visitors Hereford United. He said: “It was a well earned three points because Shrewsbury put us under immense pressure during the first half. They put high balls into our box, but to be fair we dealt with that and I’m very pleased. We always believe we can score goals and I was happy that we managed to get three against Shrewsbury.”

On the two debut players the manager said: “I was a bit disappointed that Tony Dinning picked up an early booking which curtailed his game slightly, but he showed great composure on the ball and he knows when to slow the game down, as well as speed it up. I’m sure he’ll be invaluable for us for the rest of the season.

“Paul McManus has worked hard and he deserved a chance and an opportunity, and he got it. I know he only got seven minutes, but I’m hoping he’ll figure more prominently at Carlisle tomorrow night.”

As mentioned there, City are next in action tomorrow night when they make the trip north to play Carlisle United in a second round Johnstone’s Paint Trophy match which will be played to a completion at Brunton Park. On Friday The Bulls of Hereford United visit Deva Stadium for what promises to be a cracking League game between the second and third placed teams. Three more points would lift City to the top for the first time this season.

Picture © Evening Leader | Richie Partridge celebrates his goal

PRESS CONFERENCE CANCELLED
The club have cancelled a press conference called for Wednesday. The club were expeced to make an announcement following weeks of talks with potential investors ISM, a sports management company.

5 October 2007
DINNING DEAL COMPLETE

Chester have finally completed the signing of 32 year old midfielder Tony Dinning. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Port Vale and Stockport County player has signed a deal until the end of the season.

Picture © Evening Leader

3 October 2007
CUP DRAW FOR RESERVES

Chris Holroyd scored an equaliser for City as they draw at home 1-1 with Huddersfield Town this afternoon in a Pontins Holiday League Cup group match. The matches are played on a group basis with City still having to play Tranmere Rovers (A) and Morecambe (H).

• Reserve fixtures

Picture © Evening Leader

FINE AWAY RUN CONTINUES

Chester secured their fourth away victory of the season last night with a 2-1 success at Grimsby Town. The win lifts the Blues to fourth spot in League Two. Goals from John Murphy and Kevin Ellison, early in each half, cheered the tiny band of City followers who made their way to the east coast. In between Danny Boshell equalised for the Mariners who were unbeaten at home this season before last night.

Williamson said: “It was good to get the three points. They were obviously more than welcome. We knew we’d have to work hard and defend when asked upon. Grimsby certainly asked a few questions of us, but we stayed strong, rode our luck at times, and also picked up a lucky winning goal when the ball came back off the post and fell nicely for big Kev (Ellison) who finished it well.”

“I was very pleased for everybody because it was very much a squad effort. I felt our four midfield players played as hard as they could do to try and stop good quality balls forward.”

City will be looking to replicate their away form at Deva Stadium with two home games against Shrewsbury Town and Hereford United coming soon.

Picture © Evening Leader

2 October 2007
TRIO STILL OUT
Manager Bobby Williamson is expected to still be without defender James Vaughan, midfielder Kevin Roberts, and striker Chris Holroyd for tonight’s visit to Grimsby Town. The Mariners currently lie four points behind City in 14th spot. and have won their last two games against leaders Hereford United 2-1 on Saturday and prior to that at local neighbours Lincoln City by the same scoreline.

City will hoping for a better performance that Saturday, which although below the standards they have set themselves this season, still yielded three points.

1 October 2007
DEBUT FOR CARROLL AS CITY WIN AGAIN

City will count themselves fortunate to have taken all three points at Macclesfield on Saturday after they survived a second half of almost complete home dominance to win 2-1.

City manager Bobby Williamson gave a debut to Neil Carroll (left) who has impressed in the reserves after progressing through the clubs youth system.

Former Macc forward John Murphy gave the Blues an ideal start with a headed goal on 12 minutes and their advantage was doubled just before the break with a delightful 30-yard free-kick from Laurence Wilson that gave Tommy Lee no chance in the home goal. In between goals the home side contrived to miss several good opportunities to draw level.

After the break Terry Dunfield pulled a goal back for the home side with another great free-kick as the Silkmen side pressed City back for long periods and almost grabbed a last minute equaliser when Adam Murray hit the post from the edge of the box.

Manager Williamson said of Carroll’s inclusion after the game: “I brought Neil Carroll into the team because he has shown me that he has potential and he will get another opportunity. Paul McManus isn’t far away either because he has shown me in a few reserve games that he could step up. That is the way forward for Chester City Football Club. I feel we have to give the younger lads an opportunity to develop. If they show they have the talent then they will get the opportunity.”

City are next in action on Tuesday night when they have a League Two match at Grimsby Town.

Picture © Evening Leader

YOUTH DEFEAT
While the first team were winning at Moss Rose on Saturday, the youth leam lost their home Puma Youth Alliance League game 2-0 to Macclesfield Town. The defeat drops City four places to 12th.

• Youth Alliance League table