News from Deva Stadium December 2013

Blues defender Paul Linwood received his second red card of the season on Saturday for a foul on Braintree forward Dan Holman. Linwood was adjudged by referee Jason Whiteley to be the last defender. Linwood saw red for a similar offence at the away game with the Iron earlier in the season. Holman went on to score twice for the visitors who completed the double over Chester without reply.

Manager Neil Young handed a full debut to youth player Sean Miller while another of the promising youth players, Tom Peers, came off the bench for his debut in the second half. Other changes from the side beaten at home to Barrow AFC in the Trophy last week saw Jason Jarrett, Kevin McIntyre and Craig Mahon drop to the bench with Ashley Williams, Michael Kay and Joe Heath starting.

An uneventful opening period saw chances at a premium, Gareth Seddon sent a long range effort well wide and John Danby pulled off a good save to deny Holman before the controversial sending-off changed the game.

Braintree took the lead with a twice taken free-kick following the red card. The first effort his the wall but Ashley Williams was adjudged to have encroached, the retaken kick then took a big deflection before finding the net. Just before the hour mark Holman added a second skipping through several tackles before lifting the ball over Danby to seal the game.

A frustrated Young told the Chester Leader after the match: “There was a referees assessor in the stand on Saturday and the referee needed to be told how bad a game he has had. Not just in terms of the decision to send Paul off, but his general decision-making throughout the game. There were some bookings for both sides that were ridiculous. Braintree scored from a retaken free kick and that costs us games.”

“If you look at our last three league games we’ve had a handball at Nuneaton, we should have had a penalty at home to Luton, and now a ridiculous decision on Saturday. But when you’re down there these things happen. It’s all about how you bounce back, but it’s getting harder. I’m aware that people want results instead of excuses, and unfortunately I haven’t been able to give them that.”

Chester are not inaction now until Saturday 21 December when they have a home game against Lincoln City, kick-off 15.00hrs.

• Table after Braintree match | More pictures

Picture © Melissa Cross (Chester Leader)

MACCLESFIELD
With Macclesfield Town progressing through to the third round of the FA Cup, the scheduled away league game at Moss Rose on 4 January 2014 will now have to be rescheduled.

5 December 2013
CLUB CALENDAR 2014

The Exiles have produced a limited edition commemorative Chester FC calendar for 2014 that looks back over the three years of success since the club was reformed.

The calendar is full colour and A3 in size and is available now from the club shop priced at £10.00. It is also available from the club by post at a cost of £14.00 to include the postage and packing.

• Order form

3 December 2013
HALF SEASON TICKETS
The club are now selling half season tickets which come into effect with the home game against Gateshead on 28 December. The ticket gives admission to eleven games for the price of nine and of course includes the home game over Easter against Wrexham. The prices are as follows: Adults £144 (seat) £126 (terrace), concession £99 (seat) £90 (terrace), 16/17 year olds £45 (seat or terrace), under 16 £20 (seat or terrace).

BOARD CLARIFY HARVEY POSITION
The board have issued a statement clarifying the position of ex-manager Jim Harvey and his role with the current club. The statement, follows information given at last weeks AGM and reads:

1. Neil Young is under contract to Chester FC until May 2014, as explained by Tony Durkin, Chairman, talks will commence in the coming weeks with Neil Young and his advisor regarding his contract.

2. The football club is facing its biggest challenge since re-birth and Neil Young has had and has the unequivocal support of the Board to address the current challenges. Tony Durkin urged all members and fans to get behind Neil and the team at the AGM.

3. As confirmed at the AGM, Jim Harvey has offered to volunteer unpaid, for a limited period to prepare a report that could see the development of complimentary infrastructure to the current youth section and first team i.e. 18 - 21 years. In light of the potentially damaging and inaccurate speculation, the Board will now review with the manager and the youth section whether the consultation will take place or not.

4. Most importantly the CFC Board have an obligation to the members, and fans, to look at ways to improve the football club, it is unfortunate that rumours have circulated and incorrect assumptions have been made.

2 December 2013
TROPHY EXIT FOR BLUES

Chester crashed out of the FA Trophy at the first round stage after suffering a 2-1 home defeat by Conference North strugglers Barrow AFC. Both new loan signings, John Rooney and George Miller, started out for Chester who got off to a perfect start with a goal on three minutes from Gareth Seddon and went on to dominate much of the opening half without adding to their slender advantage.

Inexplicably Chester totally lost their way in the second period once Marcus Carver had grabbed the equaliser on 58 minutes following a defensive error. Manager Neil Young made to substitutions but the Blues fell behind on 71 minutes as Carver took advantage of some more poor defending to give the Bluebirds the lead. Alex Titchiner saw an effort well saved five minutes from time and defender Andy Higginbotham, pushed up as a makeshift striker, was just unable to meet a teasing Seddon cross in the dying minutes.

Young said after the defeat: “I apologise to everyone who has watched that the game because that's just not good enough. That was as bad as it gets but I can't keep apologising. The form of the team and certain individuals is just not good enough.”

• More pictures

Picture © Rick Matthews (Chester Leader)

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