The first friendly between Chester City Football Club's 2 main supporters team finally took place tonight at Blacon High School under floodlights. The match lasted for an hour and was 8-a-side, and it was felt that this format would be a good work out for both sides before future important 11-a-side matches.

AFC had 16 players in the squad, to give everyone a game, and included new signings Lee Dagher and Danny Blythin on the bench. Despite such a large squad, there were a number of notable absentee's, namely first choice centre halves, Matt Hewitt and Matt Evans, ex-Chester schoolboy Carl Fowlie, and right back Lewis Mitchell. With this in mind, AFC started with Richard Hughes in goal, making his first appearance for a year after suffering a broken leg, a back line of Kevin Lloyd, Chris Welsh and Jim Gray and Joel Worrall in midfield with Mike Griffiths while Mark Hawkins and Ryan Lloyd started up front. Deva Chat started with 5 ex-AFC players in the lineup, with another 2 on the bench, with Nathan Spence starting in goal, a back line of Stef Lambe, Joe Mills and Wayne Ingram, midfield of Phill Lambe, Rob Cartwright (captain) and Ash Dolan, and Mark Ephgrave up front.

The game started at a very slow pace with AFC playing keep ball, in an attempt to draw out the Deva Chat side, who in fairness set up a good defensive shape. Because of this, there were no chances until the 10th minute, when Ryan Lloyd had a snap shot which was deflected just wide of the upright. Griffiths then hit a drive straight at Spence, and Hawkins had another effort well saved before a penalty was given against Deva Chat's Mills for encroachment into the area. Up stepped Hawkins to blast the ball to the left of the goalkeeper, putting AFC 1-0 up.

AFC made their first two substitutes after the opener, and one of those, debutant Lee Dagher scored number two, after a fine passing move culminated in Griffiths squaring the ball across the box. It was soon followed by number three as Hawkins made a dazzling run through the centre before powering a shot past Spence, who was doing everything he could to prevent further goals and had a n excellent game in the sticks.

A number of chances fell to AFC, with Spence excelling time after time, only for his efforts to be in vain when fellow sub Danny Blythin set up Ryan Lloyd to slam the ball home from 10 yards for 4-0. Deva Chat at this point were slowly coming into the game and started to create chances of their own. Ephgrave had a couple of shots whistle past the post, and sub Andy Holliday had one effort brilliantly saved by Hughes.

This end to end football had to result in more goals however, especially with AFC making so many changes, and three goals arrived in the last ten minutes. First of all Hawkins completed his hat-trick after another good flowing passing move. Next Deva Chat hit a consolation when Stef Lambe hit a powerful shot which seemed to deceive Hughes in the AFC goal, and finally Dagher completed his debut brace, when another slick passing move resulted in Lloyd squaring the ball across the box for the simplest of finishes. There was other good play in between as well, with Ryan Lloyd rattling the crossbar with a stunning volley, and Hughes forcing a brilliant and brave save from Holliday again when one-on-one.

In the end though it was a comfortable victory for a strong AFC side, 6-1 the final score. Man of the Match for Deva Chat was keeper Spence, while AFC's was undoubtedly hat-trick star Hawkins.

Deva Chat captain Rob Cartwright was later quoted as saying “We were beaten by the better side on the day and we have much to learn but we can take positives from this defeat, AFC are a good team and I'd like to play them in an 11-a-side game in the near future.”

AFC captain for the day, Jim Gray said after the match “It was a good fair match, happily played in the right spirit, but I think in the end our superb passing on the night broke down what was a very good early defensive effort from Deva Chat, and we at AFC are looking forward to playing Deva Chat in an 11-a-side match very soon.”

Apsolute Massacre.

Bet you couldn't wait to post this, could you?

It sounds like we weren't at the races tonight and deservedly lost to the better side, from what I have heard. My absence from the defence obviously had something to do with the heavy defeat

All in all, bar the childish behaviour from some of the AFC Chester players on the touchline towards the end, and after the final whistle, it sounded like the game was played in friendly spirit but we (Deva Chat FC) simply couldn't compete with the Sunday league class in AFC Chester's ranks. I think we'll just stick to forging friendships with fellow League Two and North West supporters through various friendlies!

I didn't see any behaviour mate, but then again I was busy congratulating your team and shaking all your players hands.

BTW, I trust by sunday league you were referring to the NFSL, as only Kev Lloyd and Ryan Lloyd play in the Chester sunday league in our 16 tonight.

Who do they play for?

What no mass centre circle brawls then ?

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !

i notice Mr Griffith's post was modified by woody. I found that quite funny.

As well as you played, we simply were not the same team that ran you close in the fielder-shaw tournament, I'd like a replay of that game!

Just tidying it up at Mike's request.

Fair enough, it was just something about "Easy, easy, easy" chants and laughter. Seemed a bit immature and pathetic really.

Sounds like a good game, well done to afc and unlucky devachat.

No easy, easy, easy chants Mancot. Whoever told u that is telling porky pie's mate. As for laughter, we always have a laugh on the side, it wasn't directed at anyone. FFS, this game was supposed to build bridges between the 2 sides and help us to move closer together. I even tried to be as honest and balanced as I could on the match report, thats why I got Rob Cartwright, your captain, to help me out when I was writing it.


They play for St Werburgh's.


When we played you in that tournament it was last seasons squad, and it was only a 12 minute match. Last night was played with this seasons squad, and was an hour, so to compare the 2 is not quite right. We had 4 of the 8 players who played in the tournament there last night, sadly Matt Hewitt, Matt Evans and Carl Fowlie were working, and Hez was injured.

I think it would be more interesting to get an 11-a-side game going Andy, cos at the end of the day 8-a-side is fine but its not a full game is it?

Tiresome.

I know you lot are really trying not to snipe at each other, but from the outside you can clearly see how poorly you're all doing at papering over the cracks.

Would it not be better to just ignore each others posts, as all it does is make you all look a little silly?

I think if I'd been part of a team that won 6-1 there might have been some p*ss taking happening, how the losers handle it is up to them really

As Michael said though, Ali, the game was apparently played in an attempt to build bridges between the two teams so that sort of immature behaviour is uncalled for in that respect.

This is only what I was told by a couple of people Michael.

I dont think there is a "good loser" I mean even after the match on saturday I was so p**sed off when I got home I argued with my bro jus because I was angry we also had a go at the Barnet fan's .... anybody there right next to them we were.

Hey Mancot was that you walking through the Quay at 7 this morning?

Doubt it, mate. I'm in Stoke-on-Trent untill tomorrow.

So you have never chanted this at a match MB?

You must have a twin then cos even me girlfriend said she had seen you

How does your girlfriend know Mancot?

Nah, seriously it wasn't me in the Quay mate. I can see why somebody would want to be me though - anybody would kill to have my looks. Kind of.

Just so I can get me head around this we have two teams from different posters on here.
The deva chat lot who I thought was the teletubbies judging by there early results. But it looks like they have come a long way and are getting some good results against other supporters teams and this other lot AFC chester the splinter group who play against who and in what league exactly.

Shouldnt that be me ex girlfriend cos he knew her very well

Mancot is a devil with the women, it's not the first and I can be pretty sure it won't be the last time this scenario happens.

id just like to add that it wasn't Mills that conceded the penalty for encroachment.

i must clear my good name!

True True.

It was Ingram that ran in the box.

How long you got?

Basically the old DCFC changed names to AFC Chester over a year or so ago and have been together for about 3 years and are run by Woody and Griff, they play in the Northern Football Supporters League.

The newly formed DCFC has been together since May and this is made up of a lot of old DCFC/AFC Chester players that became disillisiouned with the running of the team of the old DCFC team and decided to set a new team up of Chester Supporters. DCFC play friendly games against other local football/supporter teams and have so taken part in 5 games.

Thats it in a nutshell! :

good game last night, cheers devachat. maybe an 11 a-side sometime?i was just glad to get me hatrick, my fourth hat-rick for AFC Chester!

So if they AFC are the original why change the name to AFC chester and then let another side take your name.

That "other side" is Steveo1's side! Confusion.

There are two Chester supporters teams, in a roundabout way anyway. Deva Chat FC (us) is the re-incarnation of the old team before Woody changed the name to AFC Chester and drafted in Sunday league players. Woody's AFC Chester play in the Northern Football Supporters League, whereas we play friendlies against fellow League Two and North West-based supporters teams.

That pretty much covers the basics.

There are four or five Deva Chat members in AFC Chester's team, I believe.

This has been covered many times before Angel, but as you don't know I will tell you. The name change came about in November last year. We held a meeting at Buckley Conservative Club with the entire squad (I think devachat fc players Phil Lambe, Mark Ephgrave, Alan Hitchin, Rob Cartwright and Steve Gresty were present at this meeting as they played for us at the time) where one of the issues raised was how Chester City FC would not give us any support whatsoever. Woody had asked the club for help but the answer from Steven Vaughan was that he would not help as our name was Devachat FC, and he and the club hate devachat(no Bear on the board back then). As a result we held a vote in this meeting to change the name from Devachat FC to something that represented us as a Chester supporters team more. 3 names were suggested, as well as keeping Devachat. 1(ONE) person voted for keeping the name Devachat, there were 0 votes for the other 2 names, and 17 votes to change the name to AFC Chester. Hence the name change.

Our strategy worked as before the commencement of this season the club asked us to become the official supporters club, and have agreed to give us support. A number of initiatives have been talked about and started between AFC and CCFC, but the finer details have yet to be finalised and it is a work in progress between Bob Gray and Woody at the minute.

They play for St Werburgh's.

I'm naturally interested. Are they any good?

Look forward to a rematch, we would also have a number of first team available hopefully which would help. Think we had about 5 or 6 missing on Wednesday which wasnt great and with a smaller squad its always a problem.

Lets make it wednesday 20th provisionally shall we Mark?

Your like the Chester Standard Mike advertising Chester games! - Wednesday is not the 20th, but the 22nd.

He didn't say what month, the 20th must fall on a Wednesday eventually

20th December obviously! That is a wednesday!

Boring Boring Boring!

Sorry, got my dates mixed up. 22nd of November Mark?

I will ask and find out a suitable date. I will keep u updated.

I'm open to offers from either side.

So whichever side wants to win should start the bidding NOW

For your services? hmm...i thought your were priceless, Pottsy?

I dont mind lowering my fee to help out Devachatters

£1.50