Chester City

v Wrexham

Wednesday 12 April 2006

 

Kick Off @ 19:30



The Blues

Mark WrightWhen the two teams met at the Racecourse at the end of last month, Chester were on a run of one win in their last seventeen games. Since the defeat at the Racecourse, Chester's fortunes have picked up and they have now climbed out of the relegation zone after three successive victories.

The inspiration of the recent good from is Derek Asamoah who has scored all six of their goals in this run. The Ghana born striker has now recorded seven goals in his eleven league games for Chester since Mark Wright signed the striker on loan from Lincoln in mid March.

Chester's top scorer is Ryan Lowe with 13 goals this season but has only found the back of the net once since the beginning of December and has had to settle for a place on the bench since the Chester game.

Past Encounters

Juan Ugarte

The last game at between the sides came at the Racecourse last month when a good start set Wrexham off to a 2-0 half time lead with a header from Danny Williams and a stunning Mark Jones strike. Matt Crowell also had a first half penalty saved and Chester's late goal proved to be a consolation.

Prior to this, the teams last met last season in the LDV Vans Trophy with striker Juan Ugarte scoring his first goal for Wrexham in the 1-0 win at Chester. Prior to this a FA Cup match in 1997 was the previous game with Wrexham again coming out on top in a 2-0 win at Chester. The last league encounters were in 1994/95 with both games ending in draws and Chester's last win against Wrexham is almost two decades a go in 1986.

The clubs have met on 79 occasions with Wrexham edging the head-to head with 33 victories against Chester's 27 and there have been 19 draws.

Form Guide

Wrexham: DLWDWLLL

Chester: LDLLLWWW
Chester's defeat at the Racecourse at the end of March was their fourth defeat in five games but this run was brought to and end with a 3-1 with at Boston where Derek Asamoah collected the matchball. Chester continued to pick up points A brace from Asamoah then picked up three points at home to Macclesfield and another goal on the weekend made it three wins out of three at relegation rivals Oxford.

As Chester come into the game on the back of three straight wins, Wrexham have recorded three defeats since the derby win over Chester. Poor first half performances in the first half has been the main reason for the defeats with Swansea retaining the premier Cup with a 2-1 win at the Racecourse. This was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Grimsby and on the weekend, an own goal, penalty and red card in the opening 45 minutes set Wrexham on the way to a 2-1 home defeat against Shrewsbury.

Bookies View

Chester are favourites with the bookies with the home win on offer at 11/8 at Paddy Power and Bet 365. Wrexham are priced at 2/1 by Bet Direct and Bet Odd or Even with the draw on offer at 12/5 with Sky Bet.

Team News

Wrexham Team News: Wing back Lee Roche is included back in the squad as cover for Dennis Lawrence and Andy Holt although both are expected to recover from ankle and shoulder injuries respectively. Simon Spender should replace the suspended Dean Bennett and Denis Smith will have to make a decision on his front pairing after the impact of Lee McEvilly in the second half on Sunday.

Wrexham Squad (18): Ingham, Michael Jones, Pejic, Danny Williams, Lawrence, Mike Williams, Roche, Spender, Crowell, Mark Jones, Ferguson, Mackin, Smith, Holt, Derbyshire, Walters, Sam Williams, McEvilly.

Chester Team News: Chester should have Abdou El-Kholti and David Artell available after winger El-Kholti recovered from illness and Artell shookoff an ankle knock. Tom Curtis returned last time out, leaving fellow midfielder Justin Walker (ankle) as the only long-term absentee.

Venue Guide

Address: Saunders Honda Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, Cheshire CH1 4LT

Telephone Number: 01244 371376

Fax Number: 01244 390265

Chester Websites

How to get there?

By Car: Take the A483 into Chester and after passing the Racecourse take the first left and at the end of this road left again. At the main set of lights continue forward and then turn left left at the next set with the ground at the end of this road. Distance = 15 miles, Time = 30 minutes.

By Train: Nearest Train Station is Chester - you are likely to be escorted by Cheshire's finest! Click here for the Rail Track Online Timetable or call national enquiries on 08457 484950.

When you are there
Car Parking: Those who parked in the designated area last season found that their cars had been vandalised. You can risk this again or try the local retail parks but be vary of any time restrictions.

How much to get in?

All ticket

Disabled Facilities

40 disabled parking spaces at the ground with away supporters required to book with the DSA Jill Doogan on 01244 371376. Access to the West Stand is by ramp to a wheelchair platform where there are 20 spaces for away fans. The helper sits alongside and adapted toilets are located at the rear of the stands but the catering outlets are not dedicated. There are 15 visual spaces in the East Stand with local radio commentary.

Weather Forecast

Light rain with temperatures dropping to 7 degrees Celsius and a 17mph westerly wind.