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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2021

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DECEMBER
30 December 2021
OYIBO DEPARTS CHESTER

Winger Jude Oyibo has had his contract cancelled at Chester by mutual consent. The former Curzon Ashton player made 3+14 appearances for Chester, scoring one goal, earlier this month in the defeat at Spennymoor Town. He joined Chester in May after taking part in a pre-season trial weekend.
29 December 2021
LATE GOAL DENIES BLUES

Chester looked set for back-to-back victories on Tuesday before a last minute goal from Ben Tollitt earned AFC Fylde a point at Deva Stadium. The Blues, unchanged from the victory at AFC Telford, had taken the lead on 53 minutes with a tremendous strike from George Glendon, firing home from a Darren Stephenson cross. The visitors were reduced to ten men with the dismissal of David Perkins for a punch on James Hardy, but drew level through Nick Haughton.

With ten minutes remaining Stephenson put Chester in front, his shot from the edge of the box squirmed under Bobby Jones in the Fylde goal and crept over the line by the left post.

But with seconds remaining, Chester failed to clear a Fylde attack allowing Tollitt to score from long range low into the bottom corner.

Despite the late setback, this was an encouraging performance from Chester in an entertaining game that saw Steve Watson and Steve McNulty take charge of their first home game.


Picture © Rick Matthews


League table after this match | Match pictures | Watch the highlights
McNULTY JOINS AS ASSISTANT
Former Tranmere Rovers and Luton Town defender Steve McNulty has joined the club as manager Steve Watson’s assistant. The 38-year-old has a wealth of experience at non-league level having achieved no less that six promotions with four clubs in his career. His last role was as a player coach at Witton Albion, and he previously played under Watson at York City.
27 December 2021
WINNING START FOR NEW ERA

Steve Watson’s reign at Chester got off to a winning start with the Blues securing a 3-1 victory at AFC Telford United on Boxing Day, exactly a year since their last away win, ironically on the same ground.

The Blues got off to a perfect start with the recalled James Hardy opening the scoring on 13 minutes. Anthony Dudley doubled the lead from the penalty spot on 73 minutes before Darren Stephenson added a third five minutes later. Carl Baker scored a fine consolation goal for the home side in the dying seconds.


Picture © Rick Matthews


League table after this match | Match pictures

23 December 2021
STEVE WATSON TAKES CHARGE

Chester have appointed Steve Watson as their new first team manager, with the appointment currently until the end of the season.

As a defender/midfielder, Watson had a playing career from 1990-2009 that saw him feature for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.

The 47 year old has since managed at Gateshead and York City where he was named Manager of the Month in October.

Watson had previously been linked with the Chester job back in 2916 when he was coaching at Macclesfield Town.

He took part in his first training session on Thursday ahead of the next fixture at AFC Telford United on Boxing Day. In an interview with the Chester Chronicle he mentioned that he had stood amongst the Chester fans at the recent defeat at Spennymoor Town.

You can read more of that interview here.
17 December 2021
MANAGERIAL POSITION

The club have confirmed that they have short listed a number of high-quality candidates and that interviews for the vacant manager’s position will be held over this weekend. An announcement will be made once the process is completed.
14 December 2021
LATE GOALS SINK BLUES

It was another defeat for the Blues in the north east when they were beaten 4-2 at Spennymoor Town on Saturday. A great second half fight back looked like a point had been salvaged as late goals from substitutes Darren Stephenson and Jude Oyibo had cancelled out two earlier Moors goals. However two late flick headers from striker Glen Taylor inflicted another defeat on the Blues who have failed to win away from home all season.

Interim manager Danny Livesey told the club website: “It took us a little bit to get to grips with their shape, that is probably a little bit of inexperience on my part in the first half. Then in the second half we changed it a little bit and I thought we were miles better.”

“When you get to 2-2 you think we will at least hold on. But we were pushing as well and you think there is only one team that is going to win this.”

“But then when they have got Glen Taylor. Put it in the box and you don’t even need any quality. They have put two balls in the box and he has got on the end and flicked it in. That is a learning curve for the back four as a whole.”

“The ball is coming in too easily and then he has been doing it for years. He is the best at what he does. It is just disappointing. Matty Williams is in there. He has just said he is disappointed with the way the goals have gone in. It’s a learning curve for him and he will be better for that.”

Chester are without a game at the weekend with most clubs still involved in FA Trophy action. The Blues will travel to AFC Telford United on Boxing Day, kick-off 15.00hrs.

The day after beating Chester, Spennymoor announced that former Blues managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley had taken on the managerial positions there.


Picture © Rick Matthews


League table after this match
| Match pictures | Watch the highlights [YouTube]
8 December 2021
STRIKER RETURNS

Just a few days after agreeing to a new one month loan extension, striker Charlie Jolley has been recalled by his home club Tranmere Rovers.
4 December 2021
PETER GREENWOOD 1924-2021
There are very few players that have managed to balance a career both as a first class cricketer and a footballer, but Peter Greenwood, who has sadly passed at the grand age of 97, was one of this rare breed. Peter made 62 Football League appearances for Chester between 1948 and 1952 but spent the summer months as a professional with Lancashire Cricket Club.

Obituary

BLUES LEAVE IT LATE AGAIN
James Horsfield couldn’t have have picked a better time to score his first Blues goal, blasting the ball home in the fifth minute of stoppage time to grab all three points against Leamington at an extremely cold and wet Deva Stadium.

Chester had earlier take the lead on 32 minutes with Paddy Lacey scoring from close range after goalkeeper James Weaver had collided with one of his own defenders attempting to catch a George Glendon free kick. The injury to Weaver saw a 25 minute delay with the players departing the pitch as he received treatment.

He was taken to hospital and released later in the evening before posting the message: ‘I’m doing fine, I’d just like to thank all the medical staff at the ground and the subsequent help I received at Countess of Chester hospital. I look forward to getting back when it’s safe to do so.’

Following the restart Leamington drew level on the stroke of half-time with a free kick from Steph Morley. The visitors had the better of the second half, with the wind behind them, though the Chester defence held firm and Horsfield’s late strike, that took a slight deflection brought interim manager Danny Livesey his first three points.


Picture © Rick Matthews


League table after this match | Match pictures

LOANS EXTENDED
Chester have extended the loan signing of Tranmere Rovers forward Charlie Jolley by another month, while two players are heading out on loan. Midfielder Drew Lowe has joined Runcorn Town for a month, and forward Zack Clarke has joined Atherton Colleries, also for a month.
3 December 2021
CESTRIAN X1 HALF SEASON TICKETS

Chester have announced a Cestrian X1 Half Season Ticket to cover all National League North home games from 2 January to 2 May. Please order by Sunday 12th December to ensure delivery in time for Christmas. You can check the prices and order tickets from the club website here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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