Pre Season Round-Up
By Andy Lance
August 16 2002
With the new Conference campaign just days away the excitement around our City is higher than it has been in years. We are now going to look back over the close season and review our 9 friendlies.
City manager Mark Wright began pre season training weeks early to get his large, new look squad fit for the start of the new conference season. The club had organised some high profile friendlies against Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bury and Athletic Bilbao.
City began with an away tie against Buckley Town and came away with a 4-1 victory. It was the first chance for City supporters to see the new look team and in we’re not disappointed as City eased to a combatable win. New signings Steve Brodie and Jimmy Kelly impressed.
Next up for Mark Wright’s men was a match only put together the day before, after the news that 3 of Chester’s pre season friendlies were cancelled for various reasons (Athletic Bilbao, Bury, Connahs Quay). Chester travelled back into north Wales but this time to face minnows Holywell FC. The Blues ran out easy winners and notched up the goals with a 7-0 victory.
The Blue’s failed to make it three out of three when they faced League Of Wales outfit, Bangor City. Chester were held to a 1-1 draw in a scrappy, hard fought encounter with the club from north Wales.
Our fourth and final trip into Wales found us in Colwyn Bay. After a day out in Colwyn we made our way to the stadium to witness a poor performance by Chester’s weakened team. City went down 1-0 to a late strike from the Seagulls. Trialist Lee Elam played but Mark Wright decided not to sign him on permanently.
The first home friendly of the season saw an Everton XI side which included Steve Watson and Gary Naysmith visit the Deva Stadium. City went down to there second consecutive defeat with a 1-0 loss to the Evertonians.
A Manchester City XI was next up for City, again at home. Jeff Whitley was the only first teamer in the Man City line up. Chester took the lead through a Mark Beesley penalty but failed to end there mini losing streak as they went down 2-1.
Match Report by Blue Spice (MCFC)
City’s 7th friendly saw Manchester United at the Deva Stadium. The surprise inclusion of England star Paul Scholes was a plus for the home support. City increased there losing run to 4 and they wen t down 3-1. Australian Scott Guyett made his debut and scored a consolation goal in the 92nd minute.
Our rot was ended against Vauxhall Motors with an impressive 7-0 victory over the Unibond club. New trialist Gareth Grant made his debut and caused problems for the opposition with his pace.
Chester ended their pre season campaign on a huge high after defeating premiership big boys Liverpool at the Deva stadium. City sent the Champion league side back to Liverpool with there tails firmly between there legs thanks to a Chris Blackburn winning strike.
*Chester accumulated 22 goals in pre season, with a record of just 9 against.
*Top City goalscorer was Steve Brodie on 4.
*Scott Guyett currently leads the Chester City Player Ratings