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27
February 2023
LATE DRAMA SEES BLUES MOVE FIFTH
Kurt Willoughby
notched his 23rd goal of the season in the third
minute of added time on Saturday to give Chester
a dramatic victory, and a first one ever, at Horsfall
Stadium.
The Blues gave a long-awaited debut to Lewis Earl
in defence, one of three changes from the side
that drew at Gloucester City in midweek. Anthony
Dudley and Jamie Morgan also started at the expense
of Kieran Coates, Rhys Hughes and Liam Edwards.
Hosts Bradford (Park Avenue) had taken a second
minute lead on the artificial pitch through Simon
Richman and looked to be heading for three vital
points to boost their relegation survival.
But with nine minutes remaining Charlie Caton
headed home the equaliser, and with the game drifting
into added time Caton turned provider heading
back Adam Thomas’ right wing cross for Willoughby
to head home from six yards to start wild scenes
of celebration.
Chester are back in action on Tuesday night when
they travel to Edgar Street to play Hereford,
kick-off 19.45hrs.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
League
Table
23 February 2023
BLUES HELD AT GLOUCESTER
Chester had o be content
with a share of the points as they drew 1-1 at Gloucester
City on Tuesday night. After a scrappy first half
the game came to life after the break. Substitute
Adam Thomas made an immediate impact on the hour
mark putting the Blues ahead with his first touch,
volleying home from a Declan Weeks corner.
Kurt Willoughby had a great chance to double the
lead but headed just wide from six yards out, and
Charlie Caton saw an effort cleared off the line.
Gloucester, who were playing their 4,000 league
fixture, drew level on 78 minutes as Jack James’
low cross from the right was pushed away by Harry
Tyrer but the ball hit Kieran Coates and deflected
into his own net.
With one minute remaining Chester created one more
chance to grab all three points, but after a smart
build up Ollie Heywood's cross was met by Iwan Roberts
but his shot went agonisingly the wrong side of
the post from three yards out.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
21 February 2023
HUGHES LOAN EXTENDED
Chester have managed
to have the loan of Tranmere Rovers midfielder Rhys
Hughes extended by another month. Hughes has so
far made 5+0 appearances, scoring one goal.
20 February 2023
DECLAN LEAVES IT LATE
Once again Chester
scored what proved to be a crucial goal in added
time on Saturday. With the game heading for a goalless
draw, captain Declan Weeks’ effort brought
vital three points at home to Boston United and
complete the double over The Pilgrims. His turn
and shot from the edge of the box weaved its way
through a crowd of players and in off the post to
the delight of another 2,000+ crowd. The victory
lifts the Blues up to fifth ahead of Tuesday night’s
trip to Gloucester City, the first of three successive
away matches.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
League
Table |
Match
photographs | Match
highlights [YouTube]
14 February 2023
BLUES MAINTAIN PLAY-OFF PUSH
Manager Calum McIntyre
scooped the Vanarama Manager of the Week award after
his side came away with three points from leaders
King’s Lynn Town on Saturday. The Linnets
had previously been unbeaten at home this season,
winning 11 of their 12 matches at the Walks. The
only goal of the game came on 78 minutes as on-loan
midfielder Rhys Hughes scored from close range.
It was an all-round team victory with a special
mention to goalkeeper Harry Tyrer who had an outstanding
game with a series of fine saves.
Next up is a visit from Boston United to Deva Stadium
on Saturday, kick-off 15.00hrs.
League
Table after Saturday’s victory | Match
highlights [YouTube]
DEVINE OUT ON LOAN
Midfielder Danny Devine
had joined Farsley Celtic on loan until the end
of the season. Devine has had limited opportunities
with the first team in recent weeks and made 23+5
appearances for the Blues scoring one goal, against
King’s Lynn at Deva Stadium back in October.
6 February 2023
MOORS END UNBEATEN RUN
Chester’s impressive
17 match unbeaten league run, that stretched back
to 8 October, came to an end on Saturday with a
2-1 home defeat to Spennymoor Town. Manager Calum
McIntyre made two changes to the side held at home
by Alfreton town in midweek, in came Anthony Dudley
and Harrison Burke at the expense of Charlie Caton
and and Iwan Murray who started on the bench.
The Blues created plenty of chances in the opening
period with Dudley forcing the first save from Dan
Langley in the opposition goal. It was the visitors
who opened the scoring though on 12 minutes through
Paul Blackett, turning home Wombwell’s cross.
Burke almost provided an instant equaliser though
his effort was cleared off the line by Langley.
Langley was in fine form denying both Dudley and
Declan Weeks as the Blues pressed for parity, and
again just before half time saving from both Kieran
Coates and Kurt Willoughby.
Spennymoor doubled their lead 20 minutes into the
second period as dangerman Glen Taylor met Corey
McKeown’s cross to score past Harry Tyrer.
Chester pulled a goal back 13 minutes form time
as Matty Williams saw his header handled in the
penalty area and Willoughby stepped up to despatch
the spot-kick.
Chester had a great chance to draw level in the
dying minutes as a Weeks cross found Coates at the
back post but his effort missed the target, and
that proved to be the last action of the game.
Saturday’s match was the seventh successive
home game with a crowd of over 2,000. The Blues
now head to Kings Lynn Town on Saturday, the Linnets
currently sit top of the league on goal difference
from AFC Fylde.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
League
Table | Match
photographs | Match
highlights [YouTube]
1 February 2023
DUDLEY GOAL SAVES BLUES
Once again it took
a very late goal to rescue a point for the Blues
who were held at home for a third successive match,
their sixth successive draw. On Tuesday
night it was substitute Anthony Dudley who was on
cue to convert Alex Brown’s cross and being
a point off Alfreton Town.
Chester created several chances of note in the first
half, Iwan Murray with the best two of those, and
Kurt Willoughby also forced a couple of saves from
George Willis in the Alfreton goal. At the other
end a spectacular goalline clearance from Kieran
Coates prevented a Kevin Roberts own goal from giving
the visitors the lead.
However Alfreton struck first five minutes before
half-time as Matt Rhead knocked a deep cross down
into the path of Dayle Southwell who scored from
range with a well struck shot.
Chances were few and far between after the break
until Brown set up Dudley for the grandstand finish
in the dying seconds.
Chester are back in action on Saturday as Spennymoor
Town visit Deva Stadium, kick-off 15.00hrs.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
League
Table after Alfreton match | Match
photographs |
PETERBOROUGH DATE
The home match against
Peterborough Sports, recently postponed due to a
frozen pitch, will now take place at Deva Stadium
on Tuesday 14 March, kick-off 19.45hrs.
HEREFORD DATE
The away match against
Hereford, also recently postponed due to a frozen
pitch, will now take place at Edgar Street on Tuesday
28 February, kick-off 19.45hrs.
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