Preview | Chester FC (A) | National League North | 2023/24

Blyth Spartans face a 398-mile round trip as they travel to the Leap76 Stadium to face Chester FC in the National League North.

It was a perfect night under the lights on Tuesday for the lads as they put four past Farsley Celtic courtesy of goals from Cedric Main, Michael Liddle and a brace from Will McGowan.

TICKET INFORMATION

You can buy tickets with cash or card at Chester’s ticket office on the day or online here. Travelling supporters will be situated in the West Stand.

All ticket information is as follows:

  • Adults – £19
  • Concessions (over 65) – £16
  • 18-21 Years – £13
  • 12-17 Years – £4
  • Under-12s are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

TEAM NEWS

Curtis Round has recently completed a move to Marske United for an undisclosed fee.

JJ Hooper could be in contention to feature against The Seals having participated in full training at Wensleydale on Thursday evening.

WHAT WE’RE SAYING

After a scintillating display against Farsley Celtic, Graham Fenton said: “It was really pleasing, I thought we started really brightly, moved the ball well, created some good opportunities and obviously it’s great when you’re on top to go a goal ahead.

“Then they came into the game with some decent forward players who can cause you problems, with the experience of Clayton (Donaldson) up top with some real good legs in and around him and they created a couple of chances.

“But I thought particularly second half we controlled a lot of the game and it’s great to score four goals.”

Graham Fenton’s post-match assessment of Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Farsley Celtic

OPPOSITION

Chester FC, also known as The Seals, were founded in 2010 following the liquidation of Chester City earlier that year, The Seals started out in the Northern Premier League Division One North and have made it as high as the National League, but have resided in the National League North since 2018.

Calum McIntyre, the former Chester academy head coach, took charge of the first team at the start of last season and finished in a respectable third, losing in the playoff semi-finals to Brackley Town.

This season however, has been a slow start for McIntyre’s side winning just two of their opening eight as they sit in 16th, having lost 2-1 in their last outing against Hereford.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

Following the defeat against Hereford, manager Calum McIntyre said: “It’s a really disappointing result, really below-par performance.

“An outstanding goal wins it, unbelievable strike. It happened to us here against Hereford last year, but we’ve not played well enough this evening.

“We were off-colour and I’m really really disappointed with the second half performance, but first half we did enough, probably not well enough, but enough.

“And realistically a very disappointing second half as much as the goals were late goals, I thought we were on the back foot and it was quite right the ball went into the back of our net in the second half.”

Calum McIntyre’s post-match assessment of Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat at home to Hereford FC 

LAST TIME WE MET

Chester managed to do the double over Blyth last season in the National League North, winning 2-0 at Croft Park and 1-0 at the commonly known Deva Stadium as Jordan Hickey saw red.

The last Blyth won against the Seals was back in a dramatic 8-1 win at Croft Park, which featured seven different goal scores for Blyth that day.

Sadly on the road, the Spartans have failed to win any of the last four visits away to Chester.

MEDIA COVERAGE

You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms.

National League TV will also be streaming the match live. Click here to purchase a Match Pass.

Posted by Ben Lightfoot