Five things from Braintree

Before sights switch to Wrexham and the derby, Chester should build on what they have done well against Guiseley and Braintree.

Among some of the things we learned from Saturday was how Elliott Durrell's dead ball delivery can be a major factor.

Might he be able to supply the set piece which breaks open the derby, against his old club no less?

Mills feeling the pressure?

Wrexham manager Gary Mills has warned his players they need to improve for the derby this weekend.

The Dragons were jeered off by their away fans after crashing to a 2-0 defeat away at Woking on Saturday.

Mills said: “I will be concerned if we play like that second half (against Chester). We can’t play like that second half and expect to win games.

“But if we play like we did first half and are solid, then yes we can go and win the game.

“I am the manager, the players go over that white line and if the players don’t do the jobs that they should be doing then we have got problems.

“Certainly they did it first half but didn’t do it second half.”

On this day

We have delved into the archives to see how Chester fared on September 19, 1987.

The legendary Stuart Rimmer scored the only goal as the Blues defeated Grimsby Town 1-0 at Sealand Road in front of a crowd of 1,897.

Harry McNally's Chester finished 15th in the Football League Third Division, just as they had the year before.

Rimmer scored 24 times in 34 appearances over the course of the season. Deadly.

Here's a pic of him in action against the old enemy...

Stuart Rimmer in action for Chester against Wrexham

Bye-bye Brabin

Tranmere are on the hunt for a new manager after sacking former Chester midfielder Gary Brabin yesterday.

Rovers started the season with 19 points from 21, but have failed to win in their last four games.

The powers-that-be at Prenton Park saw fit to make a change as they hold promotion ambitions.

Current Tranmere Rovers manager Gary Brabin during his time with Chester City in 2001
Former Tranmere Rovers manager Gary Brabin during his time with Chester City in 2001

Brabin made 16 appearances for the Blues in 2001-02 and was the club's player of the season.

His assistant Paul Carden, who made 155 appearances during two spells with Chester City, has taken over interim charge of the first team.

McCarthy on academy aces

Sam Hughes and Matty Waters are certainly making their mark on the first team, the former bagging the winning goal in the win over Braintree Town.

Both teenagers have progressed through the Chester academy and fans are understandably keen to see them more involved.

Blues manager Jon McCarthy said: "It's almost me keeping people's feet on the ground with regards to Sam and Matty.

"I don't want anyone taking it as I'm not as big a fan of those two as everybody else is, but anything they do is amplified because they have come through the academy and rightfully so.

"Trust me with them and we will do it properly."