Blues kids grab draw against the Hatters

Chester's youngsters were thrown into battle against one of the pre season favourites for promotion back to the Football League, as they drew 0-0 at the Deva Stadium, and were extremely unlucky not to take all 3 points following a dreadful decision, not to award a penalty to City in the last minute.


James Owen was clearly brought down in the penalty area, however, the referee, who had a shocker of a game, refused to allow City a penalty, and denied the kids of Chester, a chance to grab a dramatic win.

Jack Rea was the star of the show in a great effort by the lads who had come through the now closed Centre of Excellence, closed by Stephen Vaughan following City's relegation from the Football League.

Rea, was everywhere on the pitch, and worked well with Jo Freeman, who was at right back, in a defence which contained Shaun Kelly who produced a mature performance at the heart of the defence.

The first indication of the officials' inept performance was the sending off of Kevin Roberts, who received a straight red, when it appeared he had made a perfectly good tackle on Matt Barnes-Homer- even the Luton forward was dismayed when he saw Roberts getting the red card.

There weren't many chances to be fair, and Chester certainly didn't look a player lighter, and so nearly stole it but for the refusal of a penalty late on.

Manager Jim Harvey, was delighted, "The lads have put everything in today, and should clearly have had a penalty, how he has not given that, I'll never know".

When asked about the events off the pitch this week, Harvey said "It's been a difficult week for the boys, something they should not have to be dealing with", an indication of the non payment of wages by the club.

Chester are next in action against Fleetwood in the FA Trophy, in a game that could be switched to Friday night on police advice.