Chester FC: Blues must keep up the pace, says Neil Young

Oct 6 2011 by Paul Wheelock, Chester Chronicle

NEIL Young has urged his Chester FC side to keep up their relentless form.

The Blues have won their last seven matches and the Premier Division manager of the month for September wants more of the same when they return to action at home to Chasetown on Saturday (3pm).

Young, who will receive his award from Evo-Stik Northern Premier League bosses before the game, said: “We’ve got to keep going and continue doing what we’re doing.

“To win seven games on the bounce is a fantastic record but the players have to keep taking on board the information we give them and make sure they don’t switch off.”

Chester, who have gone a club record 636 minutes without conceding a competitive goal, warmed up for the clash with an 8-1 hammering of West Cheshire League outfit West Kirby in a behind-closed-doors practice match on Tuesday.

The returning Michael Wilde hit a hat-trick with the rest of the goals coming from the impressive Jamie Rainford (2), Robbie Booth (2) and Wes Baynes.

Matty McGinn came off with a sore calf but Young expects the left-back to be fit for the visit of a Chasetown team he believes are better than their mid-table position suggests.

Jerome Wright (thigh) is struggling to be fit while Christian Smith (hamstring) and long-term injury victim Ashley Williams (collarbone) are definitely out.

The match will be the Blues’ first competitive outing since beating rivals Chorley 3-0 last Wednesday in front of a 3,310 Exacta Stadium crowd that was the biggest since the club re-formed.

Third-placed Chester, who head to Buxton next Wednesday (7.45pm), have won the Premier Division’s fair play award for September.

The Blues will now travel to FC United of Manchester on Saturday, October 15 (3pm). The trip to Bradford Park Avenue, scheduled for the same day, has been put back to Monday, October 31 (7.45pm).