Game to be broadcast in Thailand.

By Chris Thompson
April 15 2005

Chester face Bristol Rovers in tomorrow's encounter which marks City's penultimate home game of the season. A camera crew from Thailand's national TV station will be at the game, as well as interviewers, a representative of Chang beer, and a delegate from the Thai FA

David Bell is expected to keep faith with the 4-3-3 formation which served him so well in his debut victory against Boston at the weekend.
The groin injury which kept Michael Branch out of the tie against Boston looks set to rule him out again, meaning that youngster Robbie Booth can keep his place in the forward trio, alongside winger Ryan Lowe, and Liverpool youngster Robbie Foy. Booth bagged his first professional goal as Chester ran out 2-1 winners against United in just his fourth appearance, but looks set to be a certain for the future after turning in a quadruple of solid displays, including one of his best coming against Sheffield Wednesday in the LDV Vans Trophy, where Chester overturned a 1-goal deficit with two replies.

With Chester’s only two wingers, in Booth and Lowe playing up front, Chester will probably play the reliable central midfield trio of Ben Davies, Paul Carden and Stewart Drummond in a narrow midfield, meanwhile, one of two rivals to their position, Ashley Sestanovich was released on Thursday following ‘non-football related football misdemeanours.”
City’s other midfielder, on loan from Preston North End, Michael Brown, is likely to take his place on the bench after ‘overcoming’ a knee problem, though he is unlikely to be at 100% fitness.
Though Shaun Hessey and the ill Richard Hope turned in good performances on Saturday, Phil Bolland returns from a 2-match suspension following his sending-off against Darlington in Ian Rush’s final game in charge, meaning Bell faces a headache in that area, though I expect him to bring Bolland back in, and move Hope back to the left side of central defences.

Ian Atkins brings his Bristol side to the Deva expectant no doubt of a deserved warm welcome having served so well in his short spell as Chester manager. Ian Atkins took over the reins from former owner Terry Smith, who wisely decided to reinstate a new manager, having sacked Graham Barrow, moved himself into the managerial position, been the reason for a host of players leaving, or getting the sack-for no reason- and leading the club so that they propped up division 3, 12 points from safety.

Against all the advice he received, Atkins took the Chester job, and performed miracles in his short rein which lasted until the end of the season, picking up the necessary dozen points, before, under the harshest of circumstances, relegation finally happened, thanks (or no-thanks) to a single goal, City falling to the Conference on a worse goal difference after losing to Peterborough on the last game of the season-a two goal margin victory would have seen them stay up.

Chester will be looking for the point which will guarantee them league survival, in front of a bigger audiences than just those watching in the stadium. City’s game is to be broadcast on Thailand’s national Tele station, with people coming round to interview fans and players, pre and post-match. It is all to do with Chester’s link-up with the Thai FA, from where a delegation will be guest of the club, together with a representative of one of the country’s ‘large multi national companies,’ which I believe to be Chang, who also sponsor Everton football club.

Chester have just four games remaining this season. Tomorrow’s home tie against Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient (A), Northampton (H), Oxford (A).

Probable Chester team:
(G) Chris McKenzie
(LB) Andy Nicholls
(RB) Darren Edmondson
(CB) Richard Hope
Phil Bolland

(CM) Ben Davies
Paul Carden
Stewart Drummond

(F) Robbie Booth
Ryan Lowe

(S) Robbie Foy