NEIL Young hailed Chester FC’s win over Stocksbridge Park Steels as their ‘biggest of the season’.
The Blues boss believes the 2-1 victory has taken the pressure off his side going into Monday’s massive match with second-placed Northwich Victoria at the Exacta Stadium (3pm).
If Chester, who are 11 points clear at the summit with four games to play, avoid defeat against Vics they will seal their second straight title and automatic promotion to the Blue Square North.
Young said: “It was all about getting the three points on the board here. If we didn’t win here and then didn’t win on Monday then the pressure would have been right on.
“So this was a massive three points for us – in my opinion the biggest three points of the season.”
Young admitted spirited Stocksbridge forced the Blues to ‘grind’ their way to a ninth straight league win.
He felt the table-toppers missed the physicality offered by the suspended Michael Wilde and the injured Christian Smith.
Wilde will return from his one-game ban on Monday and Young is also hopeful Smith will be fit for the eagerly anticipated encounter.
Chris Simm (stomach) and Wes Baynes (ankle) picked up knocks at Stocksbridge but Ashley Williams proved he is close to full match fitness after coming through his first start since August.
Young, who labelled the performance of in-form centre-backs George Horan and Michael Taylor as ‘outstanding’, is concerned Vics will be fresher given they have not played since Thursday.
He said: “Monday is massive for both teams and for the league but I’m not too happy about the fact that they were playing on Thursday and we were playing on Saturday as they will have had more rest than our lads.
“At this stage of the season I thought we would be playing on the same day and at the same time as there’s a lot at stake.”
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