Season has been big test for us – Davies

May 3 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

CHESTER CITY bring the curtain down on their Coca-Cola League Two season today, when they entertain Macclesfield Town at the Deva.

After being promotion contenders last autumn, the campaign fell away alarmingly and City only ensured safety on Tuesday evening, when they picked up a priceless point against Stockport.

City manager Simon Davies said: “There are a few young players in our squad that have been in our first team for the last two or three months and they can take a lot of experience from this season. Going into next season they won’t be youngsters any more.

“They can call themselves squad players and build on that. I take the view that if a player is good enough, I put him out on the pitch. I think everyone can take something from our experiences and make sure that we don’t end up in that situation again.”

Davies added: “It would be nice to think that we need a point for promotion, or to get into the playoffs next season rather than have a repeat of what has just happened. It has been tough in our last three or four games, because we have been looking over our shoulder.

“But the players have shown a lot of character and a lot of desire and togetherness. I’ve been saying the right things to the players, but they look at the league table as well and it was just nice to get it over with on Tuesday night.

“We need to now build on two clean sheets by scoring a couple of goals, because we can still finish above Macclesfield and that will be our aim.”

Today’s opponents are expected to field an inexperienced side and Davies quipped: “I’ve heard that they are making a few changes and trying a few of their younger players. We’ve been doing that for the last few months!”

Kevin Ellison’s thigh injury will again keep him sidelined, but striker Chris Holroyd could be fit enough to play following his recent ankle injury.

Chester yesterday received a boost when planning permission from the local council was granted for the opening of a club shop on Watergate Street in the city. The shop will sell club merchandise, as well as match tickets and club lottery initiatives.

CHESTER CITY (from): Danby, Palethorpe, Vaughan, Kelly, Linwood, Wilson, Partridge, Roberts, Sandwith, Hughes, McManus, Murphy, Rutherford, Grant, Rule, Walker, Newton.