We arrived on the outskirts of Chester at about 12.30, but it then took an hour to go the last few miles as there was a crash (well the traffic ground to a complete halt for no reason and traffic turning round so assume it was a crash) on the A51 and roadworks on the A41!
We parked up at the ground and they charged normal match day parking fees of £3. It was into the social club, for which they charged a £1 entry fee, but worth it as nothing else near the ground.
I was at the bar being served when bumped into Steve a Chester lad I have known for many years from England games, but havent seen for about 3 years (he was also asking after the Fatty Taxman!).
I then bumped into Mike the other England/Chester regular in the car park outside. It was good to catch up with them and hope to see them in Moscow. Met up with a few lads who had come by train.
Its an excellent social club, got talking to a Chester official in the toilet and he seemed to know not a lot about Pre-season crowds or expectrations at Chester. Turns out I had been chatting to Bobby Williamson there manager! He was a nice friendly bloke - I just didnt know who it was but recognised him when he was sitting on ther bench.
The entry price was £13 but luckily i got hold of some comps so that made the day not quite so expensive! The away terrace was shut as its being converted to all seats, but they have taken out the crash barriers but failed to install the seats.
It was just the main stand open and no specific away area so hard to tell how many Albion (especially as the Chester blue and white kit very similar to our kit!).
The crowd was just 725 and the first half pretty poor. We started Kuipers, Whing, Butters, Lynch, Mayo, Cox, Hammond, El-Abd, Fraser, Revell and Forster.
Due to the cider intake I had to nip to the loo just before half time and sods law Revell put us 1 up after good work by Forster. From the cheer under the stand I assumed Chester had gone 1up, but no it was us!
I had a chat to Pete Stone and Gary Bebbington who both live fairly close to Chester, so with Crewe and Tranmere coming up a nice start for them!
Second half and we looked professional without much flair but for the last 20/25 minutes we took them apart. Revell scored after being put through by Hammond. Forster then finished superbly after breaking free, pulling out wide in the box then putting the ball across the keeper and into the far corner.
Finally Hammond surged forward was cleanly tackled in the area but the buffon of a referee gave us a penalty. Hammond took the ball of Revell and scored. By now Reid was on for Frase, Elphick for Lynch and Rents for Mayo. Sullivan and Savage did not get on.
I guess this gives a pretty good indication of the starting squad for next week.So its the big one next week, so roll on Crewe away
We parked up at the ground and they charged normal match day parking fees of £3. It was into the social club, for which they charged a £1 entry fee, but worth it as nothing else near the ground.
I was at the bar being served when bumped into Steve a Chester lad I have known for many years from England games, but havent seen for about 3 years (he was also asking after the Fatty Taxman!).
I then bumped into Mike the other England/Chester regular in the car park outside. It was good to catch up with them and hope to see them in Moscow. Met up with a few lads who had come by train.
Its an excellent social club, got talking to a Chester official in the toilet and he seemed to know not a lot about Pre-season crowds or expectrations at Chester. Turns out I had been chatting to Bobby Williamson there manager! He was a nice friendly bloke - I just didnt know who it was but recognised him when he was sitting on ther bench.
The entry price was £13 but luckily i got hold of some comps so that made the day not quite so expensive! The away terrace was shut as its being converted to all seats, but they have taken out the crash barriers but failed to install the seats.
It was just the main stand open and no specific away area so hard to tell how many Albion (especially as the Chester blue and white kit very similar to our kit!).
The crowd was just 725 and the first half pretty poor. We started Kuipers, Whing, Butters, Lynch, Mayo, Cox, Hammond, El-Abd, Fraser, Revell and Forster.
Due to the cider intake I had to nip to the loo just before half time and sods law Revell put us 1 up after good work by Forster. From the cheer under the stand I assumed Chester had gone 1up, but no it was us!
I had a chat to Pete Stone and Gary Bebbington who both live fairly close to Chester, so with Crewe and Tranmere coming up a nice start for them!
Second half and we looked professional without much flair but for the last 20/25 minutes we took them apart. Revell scored after being put through by Hammond. Forster then finished superbly after breaking free, pulling out wide in the box then putting the ball across the keeper and into the far corner.
Finally Hammond surged forward was cleanly tackled in the area but the buffon of a referee gave us a penalty. Hammond took the ball of Revell and scored. By now Reid was on for Frase, Elphick for Lynch and Rents for Mayo. Sullivan and Savage did not get on.
I guess this gives a pretty good indication of the starting squad for next week.So its the big one next week, so roll on Crewe away
Mark R