Chester FC: New Year’s Blues nothing new for Blues fans

Jan 6 2011 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

CHESTER fans are no strangers to the new year Blues.

Monday’s draw with Warrington Town means it is nearly nine years since they last saw their side win a home match in January.

It is a wretched run that stretches back an incredible 23 league and cup games to January 19, 2002 when Andy Porter’s penalty was enough for Chester City to beat Barnet in front of 1,421 spectators.

But it is a record that Chester FC can put to bed with victory at home to fellow high flyers AFC Fylde next Wednesday (7.45pm). However, to do that, Neil Young’s men will have to improve on their form in front of their own supporters.

While their away record is nothing short of superb, the Evo-Stik North leaders have yet to consistently show their best at the Exacta Stadium, with the draw against Warrington being the fifth time in 10 matches this season they have failed to take maximum points at home.

Blues boss Young said: “It’s not happening at home and it seems to be late goals that are our undoing. We can all look for excuses – we’ve got a big crowd who are expectant, the lads feel the pressure – but for me that’s clutching at straws. We’ve got to stand up and be counted.

“At an ordinary team you have got to be good, but when you play for a club like Chester – and particularly at home – you’ve got to be very good in terms of having the psychological ability to deal with situations.

“The most disappointing thing is we haven’t been able to see out our home games. It was the same thing against Warrington, the same thing against Leigh Genesis, the same thing against Radcliffe Borough. I believe in trends and it’s a trend we have to stop.”

There have been a number of changes to Chester FC’s fixture list.

The President’s Cup quarter-final tie at AFC Fylde on January 25 will now take place on Tuesday, February 8.

The following night’s big First Division North clash at home to Curzon Ashton has therefore been put back to Wednesday, March 30, which subsequently means the visit of Woodley Sports has been brought forward a week to Wednesday, March 23 (all 7.45pm).

Two other home league matches have also been moved.

The Durham City and Salford City games will now go ahead on Saturday, February 26 (3pm) and Wednesday, March 9 (7.45pm) respectively.