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31 October 2006
CITY LOOK FOR TROPHY SUCCESS
Manager
Mark Wright is forced into at least one change tonight
as City take on Stockport County in the second round
of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Midfielder
Roberto Martinez sits out the game with a one match
suspension following his red card at Underhill. Jamie
Hand however will be available after following his
one match ban. City received a bye in the first round
while the hatters won 1-0 at Macclesfield Town. Tonight’s
game must be played to a completion with penalties
being used if required
The competition rules this season
state that clubs must play their strongest teams available.
Rule: 7.3 Each Club shall play its
full available strength in all matches. The Board
will from time to time issue guidance as to what constitutes
‘full available strength’. Any Club failing
to meet this requirement will be required to pay a
fine of up to £5,000.
There will be free admission
to all under-15s tonight, however there is no terrace
available so just the main East stand will be open to
Chester fans with visiting supporters housed in the
West stand. Admission prices for the game have been
reduced to £15.00 adult and £10.00 concession.
STEEL SIGNS ON LOAN
Leyton
Orient striker Lee Steele has signed on an emercency
loan at Chester City. The deal will keep the player
at Deva Stadium until January 2007. He is available
to play in tonight’s Johnstone’s Paint
Trophy match and also in the FA Cup.
Steele began his career at Northwich Victoria in 1996 where he made two appearances
in the FA Cup for our Cheshire neighbours. He moved to Shrewsbury Town in August
1997 and in three years with the Gay Meadow club made 118+10 appearances scoring
41 goals.
In 2000 he moved to Brighton & Hove Albion where he made 30+40 appearances scoring
on 12 occasions. After two seasons in Sussex the 32-year-old Liverpool-born player
moved to Oxford United where he scored 4 goals in 6+20 appearances.
His last move to Leyton Orient came in May 2004 and Steele has since then made
66+20 appearances, finding the net 27 times for the O’s.
Picture © Evening Leader
29 October 2006
AWAY DRAW FOR CITY
After much confusion surrounding
the draw the Blues must travel to Clevedon
Town in the first round of the FA Cup. The Somerset
side, who play in the Southern League Premier Division,
will be competing at this stage for the first time in
their history after defeating Welling United 3-0 away
in the fourth qualifying round yesterday. The game will
be played on Saturday 11 November with the winning side
picking up £16,000. Clevedon are expecting to
announce ticket details on Tuesday.
The two games shown live on TV are:
Sunday 12 November 2006 (14:15hrs)
Weymouth v Bury (BBC)
Monday 13 November 2006 (20:00hrs)
Macclesfield Town v Walsall (Sky)
WRIGHT FUMES AT REFEREE
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Manager Mark Wright fumed
at match referee Ray Lee after seeing his City
side concede two penalties, and have Roberto
Martinez sent off for two yellow cards from
the Essex official in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat
at struggling Barnet. Martinez will miss Tuesday’s
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game as a result
of his one match ban.
“The penalties were jokes. For the second
one, Yakubu actually caught the ball. It was
a ridiculous sending off too as Roberto is not
a dirty player. It wasn’t even a dirty
game. We never got off the coach and it was
a poor performance. No one reached the height
so we deserve to lose but we had the best four
chances of the game and did not take them. We
changed it in second half and we were the better
side. But we didn’t convert so we didn’t
win.”
“We changed it
in the second half. I decided to bring off Dave
Artell and Stephen Vaughan – Dave wasn’t
at the heights he had set for himself previously
and Stephen had got a bad stomach and then flipped
over on his ankle.”
City showed none of the form that saw them battle
to three points against Hartlepool last week,
and created little against a side that had won
only once at home all season. The only goal
of the game came as the Bees were gifted a penalty
after Kevin Sandwith bundled Dean Sinclair off
the ball. Sinclair dusted himself down to convert
the spot kick sending John Danby the wrong way.
Danby judged right later in the game when he
saved a second spot-kick from Nicky Bailey,
controversially given after Ismail Yakubu was
adjudged to have been tripped in the box.
• League
Two table
Picture
© Evening Leader – Roberto sees red.
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YOUTH VICTORY
Goals from Paul McManus (2),
Shaun Kelly and an own goal gave City’s youth
team a 4-1 victory at Port Vale yesterday.
• Fixtures
| Table
27
October 2006
DREWE JOINS PILGRIMS
Striker Drewe Broughton has
signed for Boston United on a one month loan. New Macclesfield
Town manager Paul Ince had expressed an interest in
a similar deal with the striker earlier in the week.
25 October 2006
BARNET TRAVEL
As is now customary for our
match at Barnet, due to engineering work on the underground
there will be no trains to High Barnet station on Saturday.
Traveling out from London you should take the Piccadilly
Line to Arnos Grove and then catch the Bus 34 towards
Barnet Church which ends at High Barnet station. Alternatively
you can catch a train to New Barnet rail station which
is 15/20 minutes walk from Underhill. Trains depart
London Kings Cross at .11 and .41 minutes past the hour
– journey time is 20 minutes.
• Transport
for London website
FA CUP DRAW
The draw for the first round
of the FA Cup will take place at 17.30 on Saturday.
RESERVES DEFEAT
The reserves lost 2-1 at Tranmere
Rovers tonight in a Pontins Holiday League Cup match.
Paul McManus scored City’s late consolation goal.
23 October 2006
STRIKERS INTEREST WRIGHT
Manager Mark Wright is hoping
to sign an experienced striker ahead of Saturday’s
game at Barnet. Two players he’s interested in
are Brentford’s Calum Willock and Lee Steele,
currently at Leyton Orient. Willock played under Wright
when he was manager at Peterborough United while Liverpool-born
Steele, according to Wright, is keen on a move back
to the North West and attended City’s match on
Friday night.
Wright told the Daily Post: “Lee is keen to move
back to his native North West, and I know if we can
conclude a deal it will benefit both parties. He is
a proven goalscorer, and would be an asset to the club.
Calum is a big and strong player who imposes himself
on opposition defenders. Again, if a transfer can be
done, he would give us something extra. Hopefully I
can tie up at least one deal prior to the weekend trip
to Barnet.”
22 October 2006
FREE JUNIOR TROPHY ADMISSION
There will be free admission
to all under-15s at the forthcoming Johnstone’s
Paint Trophy second round match with Stockport County
on 31 October. There is no terrace admission on the
night so just the main East stand will be open to Chester
fans with visiting supporters housed in the west stand.
Admission prices for the game have been reduced to £15.00
adult and £10.00 concession.
20 October 2006
BATTLING CITY MOVE TO TENTH
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Chester had
to come from behind tonight to defeat Hartlepool
United 2-1 to move tenth in League Two for tonight
at least.
The visitors had taken an early lead on nine minutes
through Joel Porter but a few minutes later Jon
Daly’s dismissal following a foul on David
Artell reduced Hartlepool to ten men.
Ashley Westwood stepped up in first half stoppage
time to grab the equaliser. Five minutes after
the break Jon Walters grabbed what turned out
to be the winner.
•
League
Two table
Picture ©
Evening Leader – Ashley Westwood celebrates.
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OWEN CALLED UP FOR WALES U16
Youth team midfielder James Owen
turned out for the Wales u-16 side which drew 1-1 with
England at Carmarthen in the opening game of the Victory
Shield tonight. Owen was unfortunately credited with
an own goal on 12 minutes to give the visitors the lead
with Leigh Smith of Cardiff City scoring the equaliser
a minute later.
BRANCH DEPARTS THE DEVA
Striker Michael
Branch has left Chester having had his contract
paid-up. Branch signed from Bradford City in the summer
of 2004 and scored 19 goals in 59+7 appearances for
City.
FRIDAY NIGHT ACTION
Hartlepool
United visit Chester for the first time on six years
tonight as the Blues look to extend their five match
unbeaten run and hopefully pick up three points to lift
them above their opponents into the top half of League
Two.
Manager Mark Wright has a slight injury doubt over Stephen
Vaughan, however defenders Phil Bolland and Sean Hessey
are available for selection after returning from the
substitutes bench at Rochdale and having a run out with
the reserves in midweek.
After a shaky start to the season following relegation,
Hartlepool have picked up in recent weeks and currently
lie in tenth place two points above City having won
two of their seven matches on their travels at Peterborough
United 5-3 and Grimsby Town 4-1. Hartlepool could be
without both Ali Gibb and Joel Porter after they picked
up minor injuries in the 3-1 Johnstone’s Paint
Trophy victory over Rotherham United in midweek.
For tonight’s game accompanied children aged 12
or under will be admitted free to the West (small) stand,
based on one adult and one child being admitted for
a £17.00 dual ticket, the offer also applies to
concessions. So a concession ticket holder may now take
a child under 12 in for a combined price of £12.
This offer is also open to the unwaged and students.
Tickets must be purchased from the ticket office, and
this offer is for the West stand only – please
allow extra time for this.
18 October 2006
JOHNSTONE’S PAINT TROPHY
Chester, who received a bye
in the first round, have been given a home draw in the
second against Stockport County in the Johnstone’s
Paint Trophy. The tie is to be played to a conclusion
on Tuesday 31 October, kick-off 19:45hrs. The other
games in the northern section are:
Scunthorpe United v Port Vale
Mansfield Town v Grimsby Town
Accrington Stanley v Blackpool
Tranmere Rovers v Darlington
Oldham Athletic v Chesterfield
Rochdale v Crewe Alexandra
Hartlepool United v Doncaster Rovers
McGIVERN ON TRIAL
Chester are giving a trial
to 22-year-old forward Leighton McGivern. McGivern scored
one goal in 2+28 appearances for Rochdale during the
2004/5 season and he has also spent some time at local
Conference North club, Vauxhall Motors.
Wright told the Evening Leader: “I had a look
at McGivern when Chester were in the Conference. His
goalscoring record in non league football is very good.
He went to Rochdale but things didn’t quite work
out for him, but the chairman mentioned him to me the
other day and we’ll now run the rule over him.
But at the moment we’re
looking for someone who is proven at this level or above,
but if McGivern can do then great.”
RESERVES WIN
The reserves won 1-0 at Bury
this afternoon, the game being played at Radcliffe Borough.
Chris Holroyd’s goal gave the side their first
Pontins Holiday League win of the season at the sixth
attempt.
17 October 2006
DUAL TICKET DEAL EXTENDED
The club have extended their
free child admission scheme for Friday night’s
home match against Hartlepool United. As well as accompanied
children aged 12 or under will be admitted free to the
West (small) stand, based on one adult and one child
being admitted for a £17.00 dual ticket, the offer
now also applies to concessions. So a concession ticket
holder may now take a child under 12 in for a combined
price of £12. This offer is also open to the unwaged
and students. Tickets must be purchased from the ticket
office, and this offer is for the West stand only.
HAND SUSPENDED
Jamie Hand picked up his fifth
booking of the season at Rochdale on Saturday and is
suspended for the visit to Barnet on 28 October.
16 October 2006
WRIGHT SEEKS STRIKER
SOLUTION
City manager Mark Wright will be stepping up his search
for a proven goalscorer after Chester drew another blank
on Saturday at Rochdale. City’s second successive
goalless draw leaves them 13th in League Two but Wright
will look at this as two points dropped.
Wright said: “I felt we were playing well and
to come in at half-time 0-0 was a shame for the boys.
I think we deserved to be at least two up. We had hit
the woodwork, worked the goalkeeper and put lots of
balls into the box without really attacking them. I
think it’s something we need to address as a club.
I think we need to add somebody to the forward line
because when you play like that you have to score and
you have to finish teams off, so it’s very disappointing
for us.”
Phil Bolland made his first appearance of the season,
following his shoulder injury pre-season, coming on
as a late substitute and there was also a return from
injury on Saturday for Sean Hessey who, like Bolland,
joined the action from the bench late on.
City are next in action on Friday night when Hartlepool
United visit Deva Stadium, kick-off 19:45hrs. Accompanied
children aged 12 or under will be admitted free to the
West (small) stand, based on one adult and one child
being admitted for a £17.00 dual ticket. Tickets
must be purchased from the ticket office, and this offer
is for the West stand only.
Picture © Evening
Leader
10 October 2006
NEW PHYSIO APPOINTED
The
club have wasted no time in replacing Joe Hinnigan with
experienced physio Mark Leather (left). Mark has previously
had experience as the first team physiotherapist at
Liverpool, Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland as well as
Rugby Super League side Wigan Warriors.
City chairman Steve Vaughan told the Evening Leader:
“We have acted immediately to bring in Mark Leather,
the former Liverpool physio and that in itself is a
bit of a coup for us. Joe tended his resignation and
we have accepted it.
It is a bit disappointing that he has joined Shrewsbury
Town, but these things happen and you just have to pick
up the pieces and move forward. I would like to thank
Joe for all his work with Chester City and naturally
we wish him all the best in his new position.”
Picture © Evening
Leader
HOME DRAW FOR YOUTH TEAM
The youth team have been drawn
at home to Rochdale in the second round of the Youth
Alliance Cup after Shaun Kelly’s goal gave the
Blues a first round win at Macclesfield Town on Saturday
morning. The second round tie will take place on Saturday
11 November at Airbus UK.
9 October 2006
PHYSIO JOE DEPARTS THE DEVA
Physiotherapist Joe Hinnigan
is leaving Chester to join fellow League Two side Shrewsbury
Town. Hinnigan, a former player, was a popular figure
amongst City fans and had two spells at the club in
charge of the treatment room. The club have announced
that Rebecca Hodgkiss a physio with Widnes Vikings will
provide cover.
7 October 2006
BATTLING POINT FOR CITY
City
came within a whisker of inflicting League Two leaders
Walsall’s second defeat of the season at a windy
rainsoaked Deva Stadium on Friday night and in doing
so extended their own unbeaten run to four matches after
the two sides drew a blank.
Bertrand Bossu, making his Saddler’s debut in
goal pulled off a double save late in the game to deny
first Drewe Broughton whose shot was pushed onto the
post and then Dean Bennett whose follow-up was blocked
onto the crossbar.
Chances were few and far between but City seemed to
adapt to the the difficult conditions better and were
well worth their point that lifts them to 13th place.
Manager Mark Wright (left) was happy with the quality
of football played buy thr Blues on the night. He said:
“We had a lot of the play and we had the best
chance when it looked harder to miss than to score.
We put a lot of balls across the face of the box but
did not get on the end of them which is disappointing.
The football we played and the way we went about it
was brilliant. You can see why Walsall are top of the
league so for us to get a result like that is first
class.”City are
next in action on Saturday when they make the trip to
Spotland to play Rochdale. Dale sit one place aboove
City by virtue of a better goal difference – helped
in no small way by their 5-0 victory at managerless
Darlington on Friday night. Captain Stephen Vaughan
will miss the game as he serves a one match ban.
Picture © Evening
Leader
6 October 2006
LEADERS IN TOWN
City
have had eight players on the treatment table this week
as they prepare for the visit of League Top leaders
Walsall. Ashley Westwood who limped off against Bristol
Rovers last Saturday with hamstring trouble is a doubt
while Paul Linwood who knocked an ankle at MK Dons is
ruled out. Dean Bennett may be fit enough to take a
place on the bench. Of the other longer term injuries
Phil Bolland is expected to make a return with the reserves
next week after picking up a shoulder injury pre-season,
joining him should be Sean Hessey.
One player who won’t be playing is Lincoln City
midfielder Ryan Semple who was due to have a medical
at Chester before signing a three month loan deal but
is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. Talks
may continue next week.
The Saddlers could be without their Trinidad & Tobago
duo goalkeeper Clayton Ince and Hector Sam, both injured.
Sam had a trial with Chester during the summer. If Ince
is declared unfit then there will be a debut between
the sticks for recent signing Bertrand Bossu. Blues
fans may remember Bossu from his days at Hayes and Rushden
& Diamonds and last season at Darlington.
It’s a long time since Walsall last played at
City, March 1994 in fact, as goals from Chris Lightfoot
and Dave Thomson gave the Blues a 2-1 victory in front
of 3,324.
The match tonight will kick off at the usual midweek
time of 19:45hrs.
CHESHIRE CUP DRAW
City will be at home to Crewe Alexandra in the second
round of the Cheshire Senior Cup. The match will take
place at Deva Stadium on Monday 13 November at 19:00hrs.
The Railwaymen beat Woodley Sports 2-0 in the first
round.
Admission is £5.00 for adults and £1.00
for concessions and children. Note that only the East
Stand will be open for the game.
2 October 2006
WRIGHT: THE PLAYERS GAVE ME EVERYTHING
City
turned in their best all-round performance for weeks
on Saturday as they beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at Deva
Stadium. Goals from Kevin Sandwith and Roberto Martinez
gave the Blues a two goal lead at the break and the
Pirates never looked like getting back in the match
with the Blues defence coping well despite losing Ashley
Westwood with a hamstring injury after just ten minutes.
Sandwith’s second successive goal came on 18 minutes
with a free-kick that beat Phillips via the inside of
the post. The visitors’ best effort came a minute
later as City had the post to thank again after seeing
Lambert’s shot hit an upright but rebound to safety.
Martinez scored his second of the season with a delightful
chip on 37 minutes after picking up a through ball from
Jonathan Walters.
Manager Mark Wright was happy with
everyone’s contribution.
He said: “I’ve had to chop and change
recently, but we’ve had three positive results.
The players gave me everything, and we’ve got
to keep that up and build on these results. In the
first half we looked pretty good, but with the injuries
we’ve got, to get a result like that is fantastic.
I couldn’t say there was one player who didn’t
give me one hundred per cent. It was a fantastic day
for us and the crowd played a big part in that, they
lifted the players and when they get behind them like
that it gives us an edge.”
That’s seven points in
a week for City now which lifts City to 14th in League
Two. On Friday night league leaders Walsall visit Deva
Stadium. The Saddlers have had a tremendous start to
the season winning all six home games without conceding
a single goal and have just one defeat to their name
on their travels away from Bescot Stadium, at Grimsby
Town.
Picture © Evening
Leader [Martinez celebrates]
PAUL ON TARGET AGAIN
Two goals from Paul McManus gave the youth team a home
victory over Macclesfield Town on Saturday to maintain
their fine start to the season. The young striker has
now notched eight goals this season. The win lifted
the youngsters above Walsall on goal difference to the
top of Group B. The team travel to face Walsall in their
next fixture on 21 October.
• Fixtures
| Table
VAUGHAN SUSPENDED
Stephen Vaughan picked up his fifth yellow card of the
season on Saturday and will receive a one match automatic
ban. He will now miss the game at Rochdale on 14 October.
SEMPLE SET TO SIGN
The
Blues are poised to sign Lincoln City midfielder Ryan
Semple on a three month loan. Manager Mark Wright expects
to tie-up the deal before Friday's home match against
League Two leaders Walsall.
The 21-year-old Belfast-born player began his league
career in 2002 at Peterborough United where he made
18+34 appearances, scoring 3 goals up until July this
year when he moved to Sincil Bank where he has made
0+3 appearances. During his time at London Road he spent
a period on loan at Farnborough Town where he scored
twice in nine appearances.
Semple played under Mark Wright at Peterborough and
the City boss is a big fan of the player. He told the
Daily Post: “I have always been an admirer of
Ryan’s ability and he is the sort of player who
will excite our supporters. I tried to sign him at the
end of last season but Peterborough were asking for
a six figure sum. However, now it looks like we have
clinched the deal and the formalities should be completed
in the next couple of days.”
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