Jon McCarthy believes this weekend’s trip to York City provides his Chester FC side with the perfect chance to right the wrongs of their FA Cup exit at the hands of Southport.
The Blues were well below par at Haig Avenue on Saturday and fell to a 1-0 loss to Steve Burr’s Sandgrounders side in the fourth qualifying round, a defeat that ended their run of seven games unbeaten without conceding in all competitions.
After 701 minutes of football without being breached at the back, Chester were undone by Declan Weeks’s 32nd minute goal and had their hopes of an FA Cup run dashed, leaving the 700-plus Blues fans who made the trip to contemplate what might have been.
On Saturday (3pm), Chester travel to a York side boosted by the arrival of ex-Wrexham boss Gary Mills but, like Southport, struggling in the National League.
And with the Blues set to be backed by another healthy away following owing to York’s popularity as a tourist destination, McCarthy believes it offers the perfect chance to respond for his players.
“We were mightily disappointed with the defeat at Southport as we wanted so much to do something in the FA Cup for the fans,” said McCarthy.
“We don’t want to underplay how disappointed we were with it and there was a hangover for a couple of days after it for our players. It was the first setback we have had in a while.
“We had a phenomenal following at Southport and it showed some of our players how much of a sleeping giant this club is and how well supported it can be when you get people excited about the club again.
“Fortunately for us there we have a great chance to bounce back this weekend in similar circumstances and a chance to show we have learned our lessons from Southport.
“We will have another good following and playing another side who are struggling so it will be a very similar game in that respect.
“Our league form is still excellent and we have plenty of reasons to be positive going into the game and we want to give our fans something back this weekend. But it will be tough.”
York will be boosted by the return of Mills to the hotseat after he replaced Jackie McNamara as manager just days after being sacked as Wrexham boss.
Mills led York to promotion to the Football League during his last stint as manager back in 2012 and McCarthy, a revered figure at York owing to a five-year stint as a player in the early 1990s , is well aware that his arrival will provide a boost to the Minstermen.
“They will get that lift that often happens when you get a new manager,” said McCarthy.
“I’ve never made any secret of it, I rate Gary Mills. Why wouldn’t I? He will be disappointed with how things went at Wrexham and want to put things right.
“He is a legend at York – maybe even more than me.
“They’ll have a crowd there on Saturday who will be feeling a bit more positive and they will be trying to lift the players and try and turn things around. It will be a difficult place to go for us.”
