Chester vs FC Halifax: The Preview

    Chester FC v FC Halifax
    Saturday, August 12 2017
    Swansway Chester Stadium
    Kick Off: 15:00

    Next up for the Blues is a visit from FC Halifax.

    Chester head in to their second game of the season on the back of a 1-1 draw with Fylde on Tuesday night.

    The Blues found themselves a goal down after 43 minutes – but levelled just two minutes later when Lucas Dawson finished from 12 yards out.

    As for this weekend’s visitors, the Shaymen had to dig deep to earn their first point of the season on the road against Barrow on Tuesday.

    The point was their first since promotion from the National League North, but they are yet to find the back of the net having lost 2-0 to Aldershot at The Shay last weekend.

    Chester’s Ross Hannah and Kingsley James will be coming up against their former club. James left Chester for Halifax in 2015 and spent just one season with the Yorkshire club – where his 11 goals weren’t enough to save them from relegation. Hannah made nine appearances for Halifax during a loan spell in 2012, scoring seven goals.

    The availability for striker Nyal Bell is a concern for Chester after the new arrival picked up a nasty injury to his teeth just moments after coming on as a substitute against Fylde in midweek. Bell battled bravely and finished the game but had a trip to A&E after the full time whistle.

    Martin Riley is expected to miss Saturday’s clash for the visitors. The centre back is set to miss out following a serious cut to his leg he picked up in the club’s draw against Barrow. Cliff Moyo could again be available for the Shaymen.

    Referee: Peter Gibbons; Assistant Referees: Adam Burgess, Robert Wainwright; Fourth Official: Aaron Jackson.

    Match Preview by Danny Garbett.

    Here’s some Chester FC vs FC Halifax stats ahead of tomorrow’s game – courtesy of our Club Historian, Chas Sumner:

    1. The Shaymen are making their 5th league visit to the city since 2010. Chester have won three of the four previous meetings

    2. In the most recent home meeting, in October 2015, Chester won 2-1 with a debut goal from Oxford loanee James Roberts and one from Johnny Hunt

    3. Craig Mahon, Tom Shaw and Ross Hannah all started for the Blues in the most recent game while Kingsley James started for the Yorkshiremen

    4. John Danby played his last game for the Blues against Halifax in a 2-1 victory in February 2014. Craig Mahon scored one of the Chester goals

    5. The last ever Football League meeting between the teams was in Dec 1999. Chester won 2-1 with goals from debutants Angus Eve and Kamu Laird.

    Match Details

    Kick off at the Swansway Chester Stadium is 3pm. Ticket prices can be found here

    There will be food served in the Blues Bar – which is free to enter for both sets of fans.

    Can’t make the game? Follow us on Twitter @ChesterFC for full match updates OR listen to our live and FREE commentary either HERE – on our dedicated Mixlr page – or on our Official Website HERE – where you can join the live text discussion.

    Come on you Blues!