Match Preview: Darlington (h)
Our penultimate home fixture of the regular season sees the Seals welcome Steve Watson’s Darlington to the Deva Stadium.
Last weekend, the spoils were shared with Hereford at Edgar Street following a thrilling 2-2 draw. Tom Peers recorded his 20th goal of the campaign, while Connor Woods netted his first goal for the club.
That point leaves Calum McIntyre and his players in fourth position with just four games remaining.
The Blues are undefeated down CH1 this calendar year, a streak that can be extended to 10 matches tomorrow afternoon.
THE OPPOSITION
Darlington still have a slight chance of breaking into the play-offs, with five points separating them from seventh place Hereford
Steve Watson’s outfit are unbeaten in their last five matches in the National League North. That includes winning their last two games, albeit against teams that have since been confirmed as relegated from the division.
A fortnight ago, the Quakers beat Warrington Town 3-2 away from home, before surviving a slight scare to sweep aside Farsley Celtic 4-2 at Blackwell Meadows.
In the reverse fixture, a second-half strike from Cedric Main was enough for Darlo to claim all three points on a cold November evening.
Since their relegation from the National League in 2012 after falling into financial difficulty, the County Durham club have re-established themselves as a mainstay in the sixth tier. This is their eighth successive campaign at this level.
THE GAFFER
The Deva Stadium is familiar territory for current Darlington manager Steve Watson.
In December 2021, the now 51-year-old became our sixth permanent managerial appointment since reformation.
Watson spent the second half of the season managing the Blues, before parting ways with the club when the campaign concluded.
After being appointed Darlington manager on the final day of 2023, the Englishman steadied the ship and steered them clear of relegation.
The former right-back enjoyed an illustrious playing career having made over a century of appearances for both Newcastle United and Everton.
Following his retirement in 2009, Watson became a coach at Huddersfield Town before going on to manage Gateshead and York City.
ONE TO WATCH
Cedric Main caused the Seals plenty of issues in the reverse fixture at Blackwell Meadows.
The Surinamese striker has netted nine goals in the National League North this season including the winner in Darlington’s 1-0 victory over the Blues in November. The forward has also collected four assists this term.
Main was a budding talent at AFC Ajax Amateurs before having a brief spell in Spain with CF La Nucia and Almagro.
In 2021, he signed for FC United of Manchester before moving to the North East with the likes of South Shields and Blyth Spartans.
LEAGUE FORM GUIDE
Chester FC | W21 D12 L9 | F65 A43 | Pos: 4th
Last Three
Scunthorpe United (A) | L 3-1 | Scorers: Kurt Willoughby
Curzon Ashton (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Will Hayhurst (O.G.)
Hereford (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: Tom Peers & Connor Woods
Darlington | W17 D14 L11 | F56 A49 | Pos: 11th
Last Three
Chorley (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Caden Kelly
Warrington Town (A) | W 3-2 | Scorers: Will McGowan, Cedric Main & Louis Storey
Farsley Celtic (H) | W 4-2 | Scorers: Jack Maskell x2, Caden Kelly & Sam Hetherington
Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.
MATCH DETAILS
Kick off is 3pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday. The postcode for the ground is CH1 4LT.
UNDER THE CANOPY
Here’s what’s going on Under the Canopy…
Opening Times and Location: The Fan Canopy area is situated outside the ground by the North-East corner of the ground. It will open at midday and close at 3pm. For this fixture, the Fan Canopy will not be open after the match.
Please note, the entry point will be stewarded and there is a capacity limit in place. The Cestrian Bar and the Canopy area are accessible to home supporters only.
Food: The Original Catering Co return once again this weekend Under the Canopy, serving a range of food including Fish + Chips!
The Original Catering Co is Chester and North Wales’s premier catering van service provider, specialising in Event Catering, Corporate Catering, Festival Catering, Party Catering, Birthday Party Catering, House Party Catering, Wedding Midnight Feasts and School / Sports Club Catering.
For more information, visit www.originalcateringco.co.uk.
Drink: Once again, our friends from Spookton Brewery will be serving a range of beers Under the Canopy!
Spookton started life as a result of an obsession for homebrewing modern craft beer. They launched in 2022 as a cuckoo brewery and then opened their own microbrewery and tap room in the centre of Chester last year.
For more information, visit www.spookton.co.uk. Please note, alcohol sales will commence at midday and then stop at 2.45pm.
Kiosk: The Kiosk in the East Stand will be integrated within the space and available from midday for supporters to purchase their usual goods with GWG Catering, including teas and coffees, confectionary and hot food!
ANDYSMANCLUB: We’re pleased to be welcoming men’s mental health charity, Andy’s Man Club to the Canopy this weekend.
ANDYSMANCLUB has 280+ support groups nationwide, running every Monday from 7PM – 9PM except bank holidays. In these groups, men can open up about the storms affecting their lives, in a safe, judgement-free and non-clinical environment where they feel comfortable to talk. Our clubs are designed to be free of pressure with no obligation for men to speak, they can simply listen if they wish.
With over 5,800 men using our sessions every week, and an army of volunteers, the movement is growing week-by-week. We firmly believe that #ItsOkayToTalk.
To find your nearest group please go to andysmanclub.co.uk. #ITSOKAYTOTALK
Chester FC Retail: We will be selling Chester FC merchandise from our cart which has been kindly loaned to us by Urban Tricycles. For more information on the fantastic work they do, please visit www.urbantricycles.co.uk.
Sales will be card only in this area, with the following items available to purchase…
Live Music: DJ Adam Gowen returns to the Deva to make his debut Under the Canopy this weekend!
BUY TICKETS
Tickets for the game are available via Fanbase, with reduced admission prices in place until Friday at 3pm. Click the link below and take full advantage.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS!
Click here to read our Matchday Information ahead of the game.
CAN’T MAKE IT? STAY UPDATED
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A full time match report on ChesterFC.com: CLICK HERE