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.

Blundell & Yantorno set to return

Gregg Blundell & Fabian Yantorno will take a further step towards their first team return tomorrow night, when they entertain Crewe in a behind closed doors friendly.

Blundell has been out injured since signing for City, whilst Yantorno pulled up just after signing, meaning both players missed the start of the season.

The Blues are desperate to increase their options up front, and the return of both Blundell & Yantorno would certainly boost that situation. Currently Nick Chadwick & Lloyd Ellams have been running the front line for City.

Shaun Kelly, is also set to return in the friendly at the Deva tomorrow, and Chester could certainly do with the centre half returning to bolster a defence that despite conceding 8 goals in its first two games, managed a clean sheet at Luton.

Manager Mick Wadsworth is now urging Chester to gain "consistency" which he believes is the key, and that the standard has now been set following the performance at Kenilworth Road.

Chester City have been drawn against Nantwich Town in the Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup, the game will take place on Wednesday 9th September, which is a day after the first team take on Tamworth at the Deva Stadium.

Mannix & Harris Sacked

Chester City have terminated the contracts of both David Mannix & Jay Harris, who were involved in betting scandals last season.

The two former Accrington Stanley players have been given their marching orders, and will now face a battle to find other clubs to play for in the future once they have served their bans from the game.

Hopefully this means that Chester will now be able to strengthen the squad in key areas now, with 2 midfield places available in their absence.

City have signed centre back Chris Lynch and midfielder Adam Kay from Burnley arriving at the Deva in the new days also. Lynch, who is in his first year as a professional, stands at 6ft 3 and could fit in defence quite easily at present, considering it has shipped in 8 goals in it's first 2 games of the season, whilst Kay is in his second year in the game, and spent a spell at Accrington Stanley last season.

The two are expected to go straight into the squad that faces Luton Town at Kenilworth Road tomorrow afternoon.

Elsewhere, Chester have re-arranged their home game against Gateshead Town to Tuesday 15th September.

Oxford United 4 Chester City 0

Life just got a step worse at the Kassam Stadium tonight, as the Blues went down to another heavy defeat, this time being thumped 4-0 away to Oxford United.

For the second successive game, a forward on the opposing side notched a hat trick against a City defence which has now shipped 8 goals in its first two matches.

James Constable was the major difference between the sides tonight, as City crumbled to a second half hat trick from the United striker, whilst Matt Green scored the other goal, as Chester's hopes of taking anything out of this game disappeared 12 minutes after half time.

The Blues managed to frustrate Oxford United in the opening 45 minutes, and hopes were high amongst the City faithful that maybe a point, or even more, could be gained from the game.

But, just after half time those hopes were dashed as James Constable opened the scoring, and despite the introduction of midfielder James Owen (on for centre half Lloyd Ellams), Matt Green made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later. Constable then struck his second goal 6 minutes from time, and crowned his night by grabbing the hat trick on 90 minutes.

So, that was that as far as City's night was concerned - a big well done to the 131 Chester fans that braved the trip to Oxfordshire tonight - they deserve some credit for that!

Next up for City, it's Luton away, one look at the table shows that they are joint leaders, it just doesn't get any better does it??

After that, Mansfield Town at home, and the return of Daryl Clare, who scored twice tonight in their home game against Barrow.

CVA overturned - what next?

Yes, the news came through yesterday evening that the Court had overturned the original CVA that had been agreed through Refresh Recovery & the Creditors of Chester City FC.

The Judge in the case ruled in favour of the HMRC, who had challenged the validity of the CVA, linking their doubts to the role of Stephen Vaughan, who was representative of the company that put the club into administration, yet was also featuring as a creditor, and also as a figure head of the company that had taken them out of Administration.

So, it's a case of what next for City?

The Administrators say that they are in discussions with the FA about getting their licence to play football in the Blue Square Premier League, which as we know is scheduled to start on August 8th, but how likely this is, we just don't know.

It is my opinion that City will get the licence back, but at a cost, either a further points deduction, just like Leeds & Luton received, or it could be that Chester get booted out of the Conference set up, and drop into the 21 team Unibond League, which would be the easier option I'm sure if the FA were looking to place Chester in a League.

There is a lot of mileage left in this one yet, but I just hope it's not the end of Chester City Football Club.