|
|
Hereford
(H) | Darlington
(A) | Needham
Market (A) | Gainsborough
Trinity (FAT2R A) | Chorley
(H) | Oxford
City (H) | Warrington Town (A)
Saturday
30 November Warrington
Town 1 Chester 1
National League North
Attendance: 2,296 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Weeks.
Warrington Town: Atherton, Douglas, Gumbs,
Harris, Woods (Rodwell-Grant 90), McDonald, Dixon, McCoourt
(Amis 66), Morris, Hont, Clarke. Sube not used: O’Neill,
Bennett, MiIles.
Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Rawlinson,
Woodthorpe, Roberts (Willoughby 80), Weeks, Hugill (Hancox
84), Murray (Daly 58), Caton, Peers (Mottley-Henry 66).
Subs not used: Pollock.
Referee: D.Jones.
A late Harrison Burke equaliser rescues a point for Chester.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
Latest
table |
Tuesday
26 November
Chester 3 Oxford City 1
National League North
Attendance: 1,553 Half Time: 2-0
Booked: Hunter.
Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Weeks
(Murray 90+1), Rawlinson, Peers (Willoughby 88), Caton
(Hancox 81), Woodthorpe, Hugill, Daly (Mottley-Henry 70),
Roberts. Sub not used: Pollock.
Oxford City: Macaulay, Burley (Stirland
46), Ashby, Jones, Coyle, McEachran, Parker, Scott, Potter
(Andrews 66), Walsh (Carbon 77), Drewe. Subs not used:
Croker, Roddy.
Referee: Jonathan Chadwick.
On
a bitterly cold evening with the mist threatening to roll
in off the River Dee, Chester secured their second home
win in three days, this time against Oxford City. Prior
to the kick off an impeccable one minute’s silence
was observed in memory of five members of the Chester
FC family who had died in the last week.
The visitors lined up in all lime green kit – resembling
a team of goalkeepers. But any concern that they were
going to be overly defensive was dispelled as they played
out from the back and pinged the ball out to either wing
with alacrity. Playing out from the back proved to be
their early undoing however as they were caught by Chester’s
press and Daly passed the ball through to Peers to open
the scoring. Earlier Caton had latched on to a long clearance
from Woodthorpe and rounded the keeper, only to scuff
his shot with the goal beckoning.
Peers might have added another soon after his first when
he intercepted a sloppy Oxford pass to bear down on goal.
His shot beat the keeper but cannoned back into play off
the foot of the post. The Blues may have been rueing this
miss after half an hour when Josh Parker headed a corner
down towards goal – only to see it bounce over the
bar. But, after a lengthy spell of possession, Hunter’s
ball in from the right found Peers on the corner of the
penalty area. Peers held off his marker, turned and shot
into the far corner, beyond the dive of Macaulay in the
Oxford goal.
So Chester went in at the break with a two goal lead but
in the second half they ceded possession and control to
the visitors who worked hard to get back into the game.
They were encouraged after five minutes when Jones, head
and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch, powered
in a header at the neat post from a corner.
Oxford continued to dominate without threatening until
a long ball out to the left from Jones reached Rice who
nipped in between Hunter and Harrison to poke the ball
into the net. As he did so however the referee’s
whistle blew for offside and Chester could breathe again.
Five minutes before the end Blues secured the win as Peers
bagged his hat trick. Hunter nicked the ball off Brindle
as he tried to play out and cut in to cross. Peers met
it at the far post to claim the win and the match ball
for the Blues who climbed into the play off places on
the back of this result.
Colin Mansley
Picture
© Rick Matthews
Latest
table |
Saturday
23 November
Chester 2 Chorley 1
National League North
Attendance: 2,075 (162 Chorley) Half Time: 1-0
Booked: Roberts, Hugill.
Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Rawlinson,
Woodthorpe, Roberts, Weeks (Pollock 90), Hugill, Daly
(Murray 66), Caton (Mottley-Henry 76), Peers. Subs not
used: Willoughby, Hancox.
Chorley: Urwin, Henley (Rice 77), Wilson,
Smith, Calveley, Touray (Carr 75), Horbury, Eze, Blakeman
(Bird 11), Clarke, Ormerod. Subs not used: Drench, Brindle.
Referee: Harry Jones.
Given
last weekend’s disappointing exit from the FA Trophy,
fans could be forgiven for wondering which Chester would
turn up today against league leaders Chorley? The Blues’
squad was depleted further by the failure of the club’s
appeal against Jack Bainbridge’s red card last week.
But doubt were quickly allayed as Chester were on their
game from the kick off and engineered a 2-1 victory with
a convincing display.
Kevin Roberts more than adequately filled the Bainbridge-shaped
hole at the base of midfield, with Hugill on the left
and Weeks the right. Reece Daly started just behind the
front two of Caton and Peers. The game soon developed
an end to end character as both sides pressed forward.
Ormerod swung and missed at a ball over the top for the
visitors whilst Burke won a towering header from Weeks’
corner which was easily held by Matt Urwin. A Chester
attack was foiled by a last ditch tackle on Hugill which
led to a counter by the Magpies involving Touray and Henley.
When that foundered with a wayward pass, Woodthorpe’s
pass launched Caton down the left. The Blues forward’s
strong run ended with a pass into the box which was met
by Peers. He deftly flicked the ball into the net to finish
the move superbly and give Chester the lead.
Peers had a great chance to double his tally and City’s
lead ten minutes later but could not direct his shot on
target. Then Daly led another break but – with the
confidence of youth – chose to shoot rather than
pass to the well placed Peers and his shot was handsomely
wide. Chester ended the half on the attack and Daly’s
looping header was palmed over by Urwin in the Chorley
goal.
City maintained the momentum after the break and, if anything,
grew in dominance. Burke was next to see a header saved
by the increasingly busy Urwin. The stalwart keeper was
called into action yet again as the Blues swept forward
and Daly’s dipping shot was parried away for another
corner. Weeks’ inviting cross from the right was
met majestically by Caton – who saw his header just
under the crossbar once again thwarted by Urwin. The Magpies’
keeper was almost single-handedly keeping his side in
the game.
But the visitors’ defence was finally breached when
Murray was fouled on the right. Weeks swung in the resultant
free kick to be met emphatically by Burke’s header
and City had a two goal cushion.
With five minutes to go Chorley did manage to pull a goal
back. It came almost out of nothing. An aggressive interception
in midfield led to a shooting chance for Ormerod, his
effort was parried by Harrison into the path of substitute
Carr who swept it home to reduce the deficit. City however
held firm and secured the win they richly deserved.
Colin Mansley
Picture
© Rick Matthews
Latest
table |
Saturday
16 November
Gainsborough Trinity 1 Chester
0
FA Trophy Round Two
Attendance: 753 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Peers.
Sent-off: Bainbridge.
Gainsborough Trinity: Wharton, Tuntulwana,
Jackson, B.Johnson, Lancaster, Cogill, Stacey (Butroid
75), Helliwel, Clarke (McMenemy 90+5), Howe, Preston.
Subs not used: Conway, Hornshaw, K.Johnson.
Chester: Harrison, Hunter, Burke, Pollock,
Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Murray (Turner 85), Weeks, Hugill
(Caton 62), Peers, Willoughby (Hancox 74). Subs not used:
Rawlinson, Glendon.
Referee: Liam Smith.
A goal three minutes from time knocks the Blues out of
the FA Trophy at the first hurdle.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
Saturday
9 November
Needham Market 0 Chester 1
National League North
Attendance: 652 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Bainbridge, Hugill.
Needham Market: Garnham, Dye, Smith,
Hammond, D.Morphew, Ingram, Allen, McGrath (Callum 90+3),
Mills (Lay 85), Hunter, Lambe (Chambers 67). Subs not
used: Fraser, K.Morphew.
Chester: Harrison, Burke, Weeks, Rawlinson,
Peers, Caton (Murray 75), Woodthorpe, Hugill, Hancox (Willoughby
46), Bainbridge, Roberts. Subs not used: Glendon, Polllock,
Daly.
Referee: Josh Crofts.
It
took a goal from Harrison Burke four minutes from time
to finally break the deadlock as Chester won this first
meeting between the two sides at Bloomfields.
Declan Weeks returned to the starting X1 and the midfielder
was soon in the action slipping a pinpoint through ball
for Tom Peers only for the striker to shoot high over
the crossbar, failing to trouble Marcus Garnham in the
home goal.
As at Darlington in midweek, there were very few chances
of note in the opening half with perhaps the best of them
falling to Adam Mills but the home striker’s effort
was well saved by Elyh Harrison.
The second half saw little goalmouth action at either
end until a dramatic last five minutes saw the Blues take
the lead as Weeks swung in a left wing corner and Burke
rose head and shoulders over everyone to bury a header
past Garnham to the delight of the travelling Blues fans
behind the goal.
Moments later Garnham saw red after pushing over substitute
Kurt Willoughby in the penalty area. The Marketmen brought
on a substitute goalkeeper Danny Cullum who then with
his first touch saved Willoughby’s resulting penalty
kick.
It was to prove to be the final action of the game as
the Blues late show saw them move up to ninth place. They
take a break from the league next Saturday with a visit
to Gainsborough Trinity in the second round of the FA
Trophy.
Picture
© Rick Matthews
Latest
table |
Tuesday
5 November
Darlington 1 Chester 0
National League North
Attendance: 1,260 Half Time: 0-0
Booked: Hugill, Burke.
Darlington: Jameson, Barrow, Lees, Forbes,
Hatfield, Maskell, Main (Kelly 74), Flint, McGowan, Griffiths,
Al-Shabeeb (Salkeld 80). Subs not used: Cornish, Rivers,
Leesley.
Chester: Harrison, Burke, Rawlinson,
Peers, Caton (Willoughby 65), Woodthorpe, Hugill, Pollock
(Hunter 67), Hancox (Turner 78), Bainbridge, Daly (Murray
67). Sub not used: Roberts.
Referee: Declan Brown.
Following
on from the fine victory over Hereford at the weekend
Chester named an unchanged starting X1 for the visit to
Blackwell Meadows to face Steve Watsons Darlington side
in the first of four successive away matches.
There was little to show between the teams for the opening
period in a match where goalmouth chances were very few
and far between, with a Jack Bainbridge effort going wide
early on. At the other end Elyh Harrison was untroubled
in the Blues goal but for a save to deny Will Hatfield.
Chester’s best efforts were coming from set pieces
with Reece Daly going close to opening the scoring from
a free-kick on 32 minutes. Just before the break Mitch
Hancox saw a long range effort saved by Peter Jameson
diving at full stretch to push the ball out for corner.
Darlo started the second half brightly with a header from
Main straight into Harrison’s hands. On 49 minutes
Cedric Main opened the scoring as the Blues defence failed
to clear a Kallum Griffiths cross from the right, the
ball fell to Main who turned and shot under Harrison from
eight yards.
Manager Calum McIntyre rang the changes making four substitutions
midway through the second period as the Blues looked to
get back into he game. Will Hugill’s mazy run saw
the midfielder skip round several players but he was off
balance when shooting and skied his left foot effort over
the bar with Chester’s only real chance of note.
So in the end a disappointing result for Chester who,
after a fairly even first half, couldn’t match that
effort after the break. They will be looking to improve
on Saturday when the travel to Needham Market for a first
meeting between the two sides.
Latest
table |
Saturday
2 November
Chester 3 Hereford 0
National League North
Attendance: 2,398 Half Time: 1-0
Booked: Peers, Rawlinson, Bainbridge.
Chester: Harrison, Burke, Pollock, Rawlinson,
Woodthorpe, Bainbridge, Hancox, Hugill, Daly (Murray 74),
Peers (Turner 90+3), Caton (Willoughby 83) Subs not used:
Hunter, Roberts.
Hereford: Chapman, Hudson, Preston (D’Ath
64), Howkins, Bartley, Campbell, Babos (Deacon 72), Teixeira
(Matwasa 64), Ceesay, Williams (Cowley 60), Rose (Tilt
79).
Referee: Gareth Thomas.
After a poor performance and defeat at Curzon Ashton last
week all eyes were on the team sheet today. There were
no Weeks or Glendon in the side or on the bench today
but new loan signing Hugill started as did Reece Daly,
recalled from his loan spell at Witton. Mitch Hancox also
started in midfield.
Blues made a lightning start as Peers found Hugill on
the right and the Burnley man’s superb cross from
the by-line was met equally majestically by Caton’s
header to give Chester the lead with less than a minute
on the clock. It was the new beginning all had been craving.
Hereford backed by a large and raucous travelling support
then proceeded to dominate possession for a while. They
tried constantly to breach City’s defence down the
wings switching play to either side and to their touchline
hugging wingers Rose and Ceesay. But the Blues kept a
disciplined shape and defended well. Despite conceding
a number of corners few clear-cut opportunities appeared
for the Bulls.
As the half wore on Chester made more forward impression.
Peers saw a shot deflected towards goal but Aaron Chapman
managed to deal with it. Then on the stroke of half time
City almost added a second when Peers’ lofted pass
found Caton. Chapman partially saved the shot but the
ball continued towards goal before a retreating defender
scooped it off the line. From the resulting corner Pollock
tried to force the ball home after another save from Peers
by the Hereford ‘keeper but was blocked.
A second goal would have been vital at that point but
the game continued in the balance after the break. Babos’s
free kick had Harrison scrambling but was off target.
Then, on the hour mark, the Blues combined down the left
to great effect. A determined battle for the ball ended
with Hancox’s clever turn and pass freeing Woothorpe
down the wing. His first time cross was met exquisitely
by Peers for a strong contender for goal of the season.
The Blues were on the front foot now and when Bainbridge
held off a challenge to tee up Burke on the right, his
cross was met by Caton for his second and Chester’s
third goal of the match. The transformation in fortunes
had been palpable. Hereford had arrived in good form with
a strong following, while the Blues still licked their
wounded pride from last weekend. But now City were rampant
and the Bull’s bubble, along with their black and
white balloons, was burst.
Aaron Chapman, formerly of this parish ten years ago,
sportingly applauded the Harry Mac end at the final whistle
and Hereford supporters appreciated their team’s
efforts at the end despite the result. After a difficult
week for Blues’ players, staff and supporters, all
went home feeling a bit better. Tuesday’s visit
to Darlington will test the strength of this City revival.
Colin Mansley
Picture
© Rick Matthews
Latest
table |
|
|
| | | |
|
LATEST
NEWS |
GAME OFF The away match at Leamington on Tuesday has been postponed. |
more
» |
|
LAST
MATCH |
LATE BURKE GOAL SAVES BLUES A late Harrison Burke equaliser rescues a point for Chester at Warrington. |
more
» |
|
|
CLUB
HISTORY |
Everything you need to know about the club’s history, honours, records and kits. Complete list of fixtures from 1885 and much more. |
more
» |
|
SUPPORTERS |
EXILES BLOG
The Exiles have set up a blog to provide away match information and articles for Blues fans living away from Chester. You can read it here |
Exiles
» | ISA
» |
|
|
|