Preview: Scarborough Athletic (H)

The Blues are back at the Deva Stadium on Saturday for a tough test against in-form Scarborough Athletic, who sit second in the Enterprise National League North after the opening seven fixtures.

An entertaining contest at Mill Farm in midweek earned the Seals a point as a brace from Pat Jones cancelled out home goals from Danny Ormerod and Taelor O’Kane.

Our most recent meeting with the Seadogs down CH1 sticks in the memory, following Kurt Willoughby’s stunning stoppage time winner to claim all three points in August 2024.

The Opposition

Jonathan Greening’s side have started their 24/25 campaign in exceptional form and have propelled themselves towards to the top of the division.

Scarborough are on a six-match unbeaten streak following their opening day defeat at Aggborough, and have a 100% record from their last four fixtures.

It was an early barrage from the Seadogs that did the trick in midweek against Buxton, as two goals inside the first three minutes from Luca Colville and Jake Hull were enough to earn all three points.

Athletic’s temporary home at Bridlington Town has become a fortress in the early stages of 25/26, with four wins from four, including an impressive success over high-flyers AFC Fylde on the North Yorkshire coast.

The Gaffer

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening has been at the helm in North Yorkshire for over four years, since his appointment in May 2021.

The 46-year-old was born in Scarborough, and led the club the to play-off success in the NPL Premier Division during his first campaign, after a 2-1 victory over Warrington Town secured promotion.

The boss’ opening season in the National League North was another successful one, when he guided the Seadogs to within goal difference of the play-offs, ending the campaign just two goals behind seventh-placed Gloucester City.

Alongside his stretch at the Red Devils, Greening also had notable stints as a player with West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.

One To Watch

24-year-old striker Stephen Walker has made a sensational start to life as a Seadog with six goals in his first seven appearances.

A lengthy association with Middlesbrough ended in 2023 after loan stints at MK Dons, Crewe Alexandra, and Tranmere Rovers.

Positive spells with West Auckland and Whitby Town followed his release from the Riverside Stadium before a move to Scarborough this summer.

Walker netted in five games on the bounce between Matchday Two and Matchday Six, a run that included a brace against Southport last Saturday.

League Form Guide

Chester FC | W2 D2 L3 | F9 A15 | Pos: 17th

Last three

Oxford City (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Scott Burgess, Nathan Woodthorpe

Worksop Town (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Connell Rawlinson

AFC Fylde (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: P. Jones x2

Scarborough Athletic | W5 D1 L1 | F14 A7 | Pos: 2nd

Last three

Merthyr Town (A) | W 3-1 | Scorers: Stephen Walker, Alex Wiles, Rio Allan

Southport (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Stephen Walker x2

Buxton (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Luca Colville, Jake Hull

MATCH DETAILS

Saturday’s game will kick off at 15:00 at the Deva Stadium. The address for the ground is Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, CH1 4LT.

TICKET DETAILS

Tickets are available for the game via fanbase. Click below to secure your spot!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE!

UNDER THE CANOPY…

Live Music

We will have live music from Marie Clare Under the Canopy this Saturday!

Marie will deliver a lively mix of pop favourites, throwback tunes, and crowd-pleasing classics.

Expect a fun, upbeat 2-hour set full of songs you’ll know and love to keep the vibes flowing all afternoon. To learn more about Marie’s music, check out @mazsingevents on Instagram.

Passion for Learning

Passion for Learning is a charity dedicated to making a meaningful impact on Cheshire’s most disadvantaged communities both socially and educationally.

Passion for Learning will be doing a bucket collection Under the Canopy on Saturday.  Please give generously for a charity whose aim is to support disadvantaged communities across the county of Cheshire.

For further information on the crucial help that the charity provides, please visit: www.passion-for-learning.com/.

The Blues Bar will be open both pre and post-match to offer refreshments and for supporters to soak up the matchday atmosphere.

England’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra kicks off at 17:00 on Saturday and will be shown live on all screens inside the bar!