27 February 2012
CHESTER EXTEND LEAD
The Blues moved eight points clear at the top of the Norther Premier League following Saturday’s 4-0 home win over Buxton. Two confidence boosting goals from Chris Simm and a brace of superb long range efforts from the recalled Wes Baynes brought a comfortable win over their relegation threatened visitors.

Manager Neil Young has again dipped into the transfer market to secure the signing of goalkeeper Matt Glennon. Glennon (pictured), 33, has plenty of experience having made over 400 appearances in both the English and Scottish Football League’s for Bristol Rovers, Carlisle United, Hull City, Falkirk, St Johnstone, Huddersfield Town, Bradford City and Stockport County.

Glennon, who was born in Stockport, has signed as cover for the injured John Danby until the end of the season edging out Adam Judge who played at Chasetown last week.

Captain George Horan is expected to line-up against Buxton tomorrow (kick-off 15:00hrs) determined to play despite breaking his nose on his 30th birthday at Chasetown last Saturday in the first half of Chester’s 1-1 draw.

Young said of his skipper: “We believe he might need an operation but you know what George is like, if he does it won’t be happening until the end of the season. He’ll be playing Saturday. He wanted to play on against Chasetown but I took the decision at the time that it would be too dangerous to allow him to do that. George is the type of lad who wants to go back on even when he doesn’t know what day it is, so sometimes you’ve got to take the decision out of his hands.”

Buxton and Chester last met in October when the Derbyshire outfit became the first side to score against Chester in over eight matches; the game at Silverlands eventually finished 1-1 after Michael Powell had given he Blues a first half lead. Buxton currently have a new manager and tomorrow’s game should be Martin McIntosh’s first in charge, the club haven't actually played a league game since 28 January.

Blues manager Neil Young with be able to call on new signing Marc Williams as Chester look to convert their numerous scoring chances into goals, something they’ve been failing to do in recent weeks. The former Wrexham striker is looking forward to his spell at Chester which will run until the end of the season. He told the Chester Chronicle: “I know how big the rivalry between Chester and Wrexham is because I’ve played for Wrexham in games against Chester.”

“But given what Chester have been through and where they’ve come from in the last two years, I’m sure some Wrexham fans would look at what they have done as a good thing because they’ve had their troubles too. At the end of the day this is my career, I’ve chosen Chester and hopefully it will work out for me.”

Chester moved six points clear at the top of the Northern Premier League after defeating Stafford Rangers for the third time this season.

Sterling work from groundsman Steven Ollerenshaw and a host of volunteers who put down and removed the frost sheets ensured that the match with Stafford was the only one that took place in the league on Saturday – and the Blues took full advantage with a patient controlled display in front of a crowd of just over 2,300. The game was scoreless at the break but second half efforts from Alex Brown (pictured) and Christian Smith ensured three more points for the Blues.

Before the match the club unveiled a new stadium clock on the roof of the South Stand dedicated to the memory of former director Richard Wightman. Prior to the match the club also received their January Fair Play Award from the Evo-Stik League.

A delighted manager Neil Young was full of praise for the team after the win, he told the Chester Chronicle: “I thought we were excellent from start to finish and the only thing I was worried about was whether the goals would come.

“But we said to the lads to keep passing and keep getting it wide because we knew Stafford would be tough to break down and resilient as that’s what they’re all about. But once we got the goal we were fine and overall it was a very competent performance.

Striker Jamie Rainford has joined FC Halifax Town for an undisclosed five figure fee after agreeing terms with the Conference North side today. The deal also has a sell-on clause. Rainford joined Chester last summer following a tremendous season with Marine but was unable to repeat his goal scoring form from last season and had a successful loan spell, scoring five goals in the process, with Halifax before the New Year. Rainford made 8+12 appearances for Chester, scoring on three occasions. Blues manager Neil Young told the Chester Chronicle: “Jamie’s a top lad and no-one is more disappointed than me that it has not worked out like we had intended. But that happens in football and I am absolutely positive that Jamie will go on and be a success in his career as he has the hunger and commitment to want to succeed.” Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

There will be a pitch inspection at Chorley at 09.30hrs tomorrow to assess whether the match at Victory Park can go ahead. Frost and snow are forecast in the area for the next 24 hours which puts the all-ticket game, which would kick-off at 13.00hrs, in big doubt. Chester have sold around 700 tickets ahead of the match which will see the Blues attempting to complete the double over their Lancashire rivals following the fine 3-0 home win earlier in the season. There will be no tickets on sale tomorrow.

Manager Neil Young welcomes back both Michael Powell and Wes Baynes following their three match suspensions. Chorley, who were promoted with Chester last season sit four points behind Chester but have played three games more. Young is looking to the Blues to repeat last seasons victory there and move well ahead of Garry Flitcroft’s side.

Young told the Chester Chronicle: “Chorley are definitely in the race and I’m sure their manager Garry Flitcroft and his staff aren’t giving up on the title just yet. But we’re four points clear of them with three games in hand so if we win it would need us to implode significantly for Chorley to pip us to the title. I’m not saying that couldn’t happen but I certainly wouldn’t expect that to happen.”

• Latest table