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NEWS FROM DEVA STADIUM 2010

January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | 2009 News | Archive News
OCTOBER
29 October 2010
HOME DRAW FOR CHESTER

Chester have been drawn away to First Division South side Following their 3-1 win over Witton Albion on Wednesday night, the Blues have been given a home draw against Evo-Stik First Division South side Sutton Coldfield Town in the second round of the President’s Cup. That match will take place on Wednesday 17 November, 19:45hrs.

27 October 2010
BURGESS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSFER

Midfielder Andy Burgess no longer features in manager Neil Young’s plans and has been made available for transfer. Burgess has been unable to command a regular place in the side this season making 6+2 appearances though has missed some games through injury.

Manager Young said: “I’ve had a good chat with him and we’ve both agreed the best way forward. Andy has had to adjust from full time to part time football and he has shown a lot of ability on the ball. But he wanted total football which I couldn’t guarantee and he has been transfer-listed.”

Picture © Evening Leader


25 October 2010
BLUES BACK TO WINNING WAYS

Chester got back to winning ways at home with a 3-0 victory over Lancaster City on Saturday. Iain Howard did the damage with two goals in the opening 20 minutes and Kyle Wison sealed the three points adding the third after the break. All three goals were set up by Michael Wilde.

There was another great crowd with over 2,400 turning out on what was designated ‘Think Pink Day’ as the club hosted a series of events to support the Breast Care Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital. The total amount raised on the day was a fantastic £3,269.43.

Manager Neil Young handed a debut to midfielder Antoni Sarcevic (pictured), and although the player had a great game, he saw red in the dying minutes after picking up a second yellow card and now faces a one match ban in a couple of weeks.

Young, happy with the performance of the team said: “I thought we played really well against Lancaster and the lads did everything that was asked of them and on another day we probably would and should have had more goals. From my point of view though, that is the way we want the lads to play with a hunger to get the ball back and then use it correctly, creating plenty of chances and restricting Lancaster to very little.”

“Iain Howard's finishing was outstanding as was his overall game and I think we are now starting to see a lad who is growing in confidence and producing consistent performances, and Michael Wilde’s contribution to each goal was excellent.”

“I brought Antoni Sarcevic in from Crewe last week, and he was outstanding on Saturday, he worked tirelessly all game and gave us so much energy, his debut was soured by a sending off which I find hard to agree with because although his second one was a yellow card his first certainly wasn’t especially with what the referee let go during the game.”

Chester now prepare for their fourth successive home match as Witton Albion visit on Wednesday night for a first round President’s Cup match, kick-off 19:45hrs.

League table | More pictures


Picture © Evening Leader
22 October 2010
SARCEVIC JOINS ON LOAN

Chester have completed the loan signing of 18-year-old midfielder Antoni Sarcevic from Crewe Alexandra. Manager Neil Young had an eye on the player for some time and said: �Antoni will be an excellent addition to the squad and has everything that I have been looking for to add to our midfield. Antoni was excellent for Woodley last year and obviously that was shown with Crewe signing him towards the end of last season. ”

Tomorrow Chester entertain in-form Lancaster City in the league. The Blues will be looking for a big improvement in their home form that has seen them take only two points from the last nine. Manager Young promosed changes after last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leigh Genesis.

Young wants his players to get at Lancaster straight from the start. He dold the Chester Chronicle: “We’ve played with wingers and tried to pass it in the last couple of home games, but we’ll be playing a slightly different way on Saturday – and that’s up and at them.

“I’m as much a football romantic as anyone, but it hasn’t worked on the two occasions we’ve tried to pass around teams, so we’ll be a bit more direct and hopefully the ingredients I’ll be bringing in – and that’s more midfielders with good legs to win second balls and get about the pitch – will help make it work.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the club have designated tomorrow Think Pink Day, as they support the Breast Care Unit at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

You can pick up a Chester FC ‘Think Pink’ t-shirt on the day for just £5 from the Club Shop. The players will also be sporting these in their pre-match warm-up. The club are encouraging all supporters to come along wearing something pink and there will be various other pink-themed events taking place during the day in and around the ground.

There will also be a raffle held, tickets are just £1 and will be available from from one of the ladies who will be volunteering from the Countess of Chester Hospital. Prizes include:

A signed Chester FC shirt.
2 tickets for the ‘Goodison Experience’ tour donated by Everton FC.
A meal for 2 at Cock O Barton restaurant in Malpas.
A cut & blow wave by a professional stylist at Hi-Lites hair salon in Ellesmere Port.
A Kelloggs Hamper.

21 October 2010
YOUNG TARGETS LOAN MIDFIELDER

Chester manager Neil Young is hoping to secure the loan services of Crewe Alexandra 18-year-old midfielder Antoni Sarcevic. Young told the Chester Chronicle: “I think we’ve been a bit lacklustre in midfield. We’ve not stamped our authority on games and got about people as much as I would have liked.”

Sarcevic joined the Railwaymen in the summer from Woodley Sports and comes highly recommended by Dario Gradi.

Gradi commented: “Antoni is doing fine. He gets goals, his finishing is very good, he strikes the ball well, picks his spot and knows what he is doing. He’ll be a match-winner, his scoring ability is excellent and he is getting strong. He is definitely one for the future.”

Young has also moved to sign another young player on loan, Colwyn bay striker Alex Titchener.

20 October 2010
CAMMELL LAIRD TICKETS

Chester have been allocated 1,500 tickets for the away match at Cammell Laird on 30 October and these go on sale to Season Ticket holders from 10:00-16:00hrs today. Please present Voucher C. Only one ticket per voucher.

Thursday 10.00 – 16.00hrs (ticket office) and 18.00 – 20.00hrs (club shop only)
Friday 10.00 – 16.00hrs
Saturday 10.30 – 12.30hrs

General Sale (ticket office) - Unrestricted
Saturday 17.00 – 18.00hrs
Monday to Friday 10.00 – 16.00hrs

All tickets are £6.00 with no concessions available. Please try and have the correct money ready when purchasing tickets.
18 October 2010
YOUNG PROMISES CHANGES

Manager Neil Young has promised changes to the squad following Saturday’s disappointing draw against next-to-bottom side Leigh Genesis. The Blues had once again struggled to break down a defensive rearguard, and when they did, found the Genesis goalkeeper Adam Judge in inspired form.

More often than not the final ball into the box throughout the afternoon either fell short and was gathered with ease by Judge.

Chester’s home form, just two points from the last nine on offer, is in stark contrast to the displays on their travels where they have won six and drawn just one of their league and cup matches.

“It’s not the first this has happened so I am not over-exaggerating when I say that certain people will have to be replaced. I’m not going over the top – this is my job and I’m not prepared to put my neck on the line for those sorts of performances.”

“Ultimately the buck stops with me. I’ll be the one getting criticised – rightly – because I put the team on the pitch, but if I’m going to take criticism I’m going to take criticism for the right reasons. My sides never ever lack effort on the pitch but there were certain individuals out there who lacked effort.”

The players, no doubt feeling the effects of the extra-time match on Wednesday, have no match now until the visit of ninth placed Lancaster City on Saturday. The visitors are unbeaten in their last nine league and cup matches and have scored no less than 20 goals in their last four outings!


League table

Picture © Evening Leader

STAFFORDSHIRE CUP TRIP FOR BLUES
Chester have been drawn away to First Division South side Newcastle Town in the second round of the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup. The game is on Tuesday 2 November. Kick-off time to be confirmed.

14 October 2010
EXTRA TIME WIN FOR BLUES

It took two goals in extra-time from Tom Field and Michael Wilde to see Chester progress to the second round of the League Challenge Cup at the expense of Division One South side Rushall Olympic. Manager Neil Young made a host of changes from the side that won at Harrogate and it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 49 minutes through Mitchell Tolley, who made amends after crashing a first-half penalty onto the crossbar.

Chester had to wait until eight minutes from time before the equaliser came as Kyle Wilson scored with a cool finish on his home debut. With the game heading into extra time Tom Field scored a great goal from the edge of the box on 98 minutes and Michael Wilde wrapped things up with the last kick of the match.

Rushall finished the game with nine men following two red cards.

Match pictures

11 October 2010
HAT-TRICK JOY FOR WILDE

Michael Wilde scored his second hat-trick of the season on Saturday; his second-half treble helped the Blues cruise to a 4-1 win at Harrogate Railway Athletic and move them second in the league three points behind leaders Chorley. Chester were handed the lead in the 52st minute as Dan Thirkell diverted a Tom Field cross into his own net. Wilde struck in the 66th, 74th and 84th minutes to cement the victory, Chester’s fifth away from home on the run. The home side were given a glimmer of hope at 3-0 as Thirkell converted a penalty following a foul from George Horan.

League table

Picture © Evening Leader


BLUES LOOK TO CUP SUCCESS
Chester entertain Division One South outfit Rushall Olympic on Wednesday night, kick-off 19:45hrs, in the first round of the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup. Only the East (main) Stand and the Harry McNally Terrace will be open for this game. Admission prices are: adults £7.00, concessions £5.00, under 18’s £3.00.

EXILES PREDICTION COMPETITION

The form for this year’s competition is now ready to download. To reflect our newly found status we’ve substituted the Conference for the Evo-Stik Division One North! so you may need to give your friends a bit of guidance as to who’s hot and who’s not when it comes to filling in this section. The deadline has been extended to allow for the later than usual appearance of the form.

Download form


8 October 2010
McCREADY SIGNS

Manager Neil Young has made his third signing in a week with the capture of 19-year-old Tom McCready. The Ellesmere Port born midfielder has had spells at both Everton and Hibernian and more recently Altrincham. Meanwhile Danny Meadowcroft has gone out on loan to Bamber Bridge.

Transfer activity

SHARROCK INJURY
Roger Sharrock will be out for up to six weeks through a back injury. Manager Neil Young told the Chester Chronicle: “The lad has been in absolute agony and the physio he went to see told him he has only been working 35 to 40% of his muscles. He’s got no movement in his back – he can’t even bend – so his hamstring and glutes are tight as hell. But he’s going to get the right rehab now.”
7 October 2010
HORAN CAPS REMARKABLE COMEBACK

Captain George Horan scored a last gasp winner at Wincham Park last night just as it looked like the Blues had thrown away two points. Chester dominated for the majority of the match against Witton Albion and took a two goal lead into the last minute thanks to goals from Michael Wilde and Bradley Barnes. But two defensive lapses in stoppage time led to a remarkable comeback by the hosts to level matters.

But, as the game entered the fourth minute of stoppage time, Horan rose to head and shoulders above everyone else to head home Iain Howard’s whipped in corner to spark scenes of chaotic celebration amongst the huge away following that had made the short trip across the County.

Following
the dramatic victory manager Neil Young said: “I was slumped in my chair when that second goal went in because for 90 minutes we bossed the game – we could have had four or five. The lads worked their socks off and two lapses of concentration nearly cost us, but to come back again and win shows massive character. What happened shouldn’t take the shine off what was an excellent performance.”

League table

Picture © Evening Leader

6 October 2010
TWO MORE FIXTURE CHANGES

Two more changes to the fixture list have been announced. The home match against Leigh Genesis on Wednesday 20 October has been brought forward to Saturday 16 October. Meanwhile the away match at Curzon Ashton on Tuesday 30 November has been put back to Saturday 18 December.

Meanwhile Chester make the short trip to Wincham Park tonight to play Cheshire neighbours Witton Albion, kick-off 19:45hrs. The hosts are enjoying their best run for a decade, seven straight victories have seen them rise to second place in the table and progress in the FA Trophy. Manager Paul Ogden has a full squad to choose from.

Admission tonight is adults £8.50, concessions £5.50, U16s £4.00, accompanied U14s Free.

Revised fixture list
4 October 2010
CHANGES PROMISED BY YOUNG

Manager Neil Young has hinted that there will be changes to the side that play Cheshire neighbours Witton Albion on Tuesday night. The Blues boss was disappointed following Saturday’s home 1-1 draw with Prescot Cables that saw them lose valuable ground on leaders Chorley who won again. One player already likely to be ruled out through a hamstring injury is Chris Williams.

It took an equaliser ten minutes from time from Bradley Barnes (pictured) to earn Chester a point after the visitors had opened the scoring 15 minutes earlier through an unmarked Aeron Rey who volleyed past Richard Whiteside. Chester remain in fourth position but are now eight points behind leaders Chroley, though they do have a game in hand.

“It was very frustrating, but I don’t think we did enough in the second half to win the game. There were too many stop-starts in the first half, but we enjoyed a lot of the ball and we passed it well, but Prescot kept a decent shape.

“I know that people have been crying out for wingers, but I thought we had enough of the ball when we brought the wingers on, but I don’t think it made much of a difference.

“I think at times we maybe have to go a bit more direct than we did. But one or two of our lads thought they could just turn up and the three points would be put in the bag, but you don’t just turn up in this league and win games.

“I thought we were a little bit more open in the second half, but that’s what happens when you put two wingers on. We went out to win the game but came away with a draw.”

League table

Picture © Evening Leader

YOUNG SIGNS DEFENDER
Former Wrexham defender Gareth Evans is the latest player to join Chester. Evans, who is awaiting international clearance before he can play, with remain at Chester until March when he will return to Real Maryland Monarchs in the USA.

Manager Neil Young told the Evening Leader: “Gareth Evans has agreed to join us. We are just awaiting international clearance and if that arrives then he’ll play for us on Wednesday.”

“At the end of the day we need players to show a desire to come to the club, although I understand lads have got to look after themselves financially. Though I think we’ve made Rob a good offer. Gareth signed forms for us after Saturday’s match and I feel he will be a good acquisition for the squad.”

1 October 2010
SQUAD BOOSTED BY SIGNING

Manager Neil Young has boosted his forward line with the signing of 24-year-old Kyle Wilson. The former FC United of Manchester striker may well feature in tomorrow’s home League match against Prescot Cables. Meanwhile on-loan striker Nick Rogan has returned to Fleetwood following his period with Chester.

Wilson scored 24 goals in 32 appearances last season for FCUM before joining League Two side Macclesfield Town where he made four appearances from the bench before returning to Manchester on loan where he netted a further four times in seven appearances. Wilson began his career as a trainee at Crewe Alexandra and has also had spells at Altrincham and Droylsden.

Tomorrow’s match was originally scheduled for the August bank holiday Monday, the first home match of the season, but was postponed due to the visitors’ FA Cup replay 24 hours later.

League table | Transfer activity

Picture © Evening Leader

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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