Match Preview: Marine (h)

    We welcome Neil Young’s Marine on Easter Monday for our final home match of the regular season.

    Calum McIntyre and his players secured a spot in the play-offs on Good Friday courtesy of a narrow victory away to Southport.

    Over 1,000 travelling Seals watched on as Connor Woods continued his prolific streak in front of goal by netting for the third successive match.

    Another triumph this afternoon would guarantee the Blues finish inside the top four of the National League North and match our points tally from two seasons ago.

    In the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, goals from Dylan Mottley-Henry, Iwan Murray and Harrison Burke ensured we were on the positive side of a five-goal thriller at Rossett Park.

    THE OPPOSITION

    Marine have comfortably avoided relegation in their first ever season in the sixth tier of English football.

    Former Chester manager Neil Young has steered the Merseyside-based club into 15th position, with an impressive 16-point margin over the drop zone with two games remaining.

    In mid-February, the Mariners were languishing in the dreaded bottom four before embarking on a rampant run of form.

    They went undefeated for nine matches, which included seven priceless victories. They commenced the awe-inspiring streak by dispatching of current league leaders Kidderminster Harriers in a 3-1 triumph. Away victories at Curzon Ashton and Spennymoor Town followed as well as overcoming fellow relegation candidates Needham Market and Radcliffe.

    Marine earned promotion into the National League North last campaign through the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs.

    Young’s outfit edged out Macclesfield in the final back in May, with current Chester midfielder Jack Bainbridge scoring the winner.

    THE GAFFER

    Neil Young is a promotion-winning specialist having clinched an astounding seven in his managerial career.

    There of those came in his successful stint with Chester, as the 49-year-old masterminded the Seals to the National League following reformation. His expertise resulted in the club lifting the NPL North, NPL Premier and Conference North titles in consecutive seasons.

    Young joined Marine in 2018 and famously led the Merseyside minnows to a third round FA Cup tie at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

    That historic cup run assisted their impressive rise, which culminated in them beating Macclesfield in the play-off final last year.

    Earlier on in the week, the Mariners announced a staff restructuring, which will see Young relinquish his role as first-team manager after a fruitful spell.

    From next season, the former Stockport County and Colwyn Bay boss will become Marine’s first ever Director of Football. This shift in responsibility will see Young lead all football operations, which includes shaping their sporting strategy.

    ONE TO WATCH

    Central defender James Butler has been a key part of Marine’s defensive solidity in recent weeks.

    The 25-year-old’s recent contributions has helped his side record three clean sheets in their last four matches.

    The 4-1 away loss to Scarborough is the exception in that period, but Butler came away with some credit due to scoring the opener.

    Marine signed the Englishman from Warrington Rylands last summer for an undisclosed fee.

    Football is in his blood, as his father is former EFL defender Tony Butler. Butler Senior made over 450 appearances in a distinguished career that was spent with the likes of Gillingham, Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion.

    LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

    Chester FC | W23 D12 L9 | F68 A44 | Pos: 4th

    Last Three

    Hereford (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: Tom Peers, Connor Woods

    Darlington (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Tom Peers, Connor Woods

    Southport (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Connor Woods

    Marine | W15 D10 L19 | F40 A54 | Pos: 15th

    Last Three

    Scarborough Athletic (A) | L 4-1 | Scorers: James Butler

    Chorley (A) | D 0-0 | Scorers: N/A

    Warrington Town (H) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Finlay Sinclair-Smith

    Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

    MATCH DETAILS

    Kick off is 3pm at The Deva Stadium on Easter Monday. The postcode for the ground is CH1 4LT.

    UNDER THE CANOPY

    Here’s what’s happening Under the Canopy…

    Opening Times and Location: The Fan Canopy area is situated outside the ground by the North-East corner of the ground.

    For this fixture, we are delighted to announce it will open at midday and close at 3pm before the game, and then reopen AFTER the match!.

    Please note, the entry point will be stewarded and there is a capacity limit in place.

    We’re also pleased to confirm that, after the game, we will be joined by the First Team Players and Staff Under the Canopy! Make sure you visit to see Calum and the lads post match.

    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.

    Additional Vendor: Keep It Sweetwill also be on site this Monday for the first time! They will be setting up inside the canopy area serving their delicious sweet treats including…

    • Jersey Gold Ice Cream with sherbet and a flake topped with sauce
    • American Fanta & Sweets
    • Fresh Hot Donuts Cooked to order
    • Chocolate Bars

    Drink: Spookton Brewery will be serving a range of beers Under the Canopy – make sure you grab yourself a pint and help support the club!

    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 – before then being available after the lap of appreciation.

    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!

    Easter treats: Chester FC have approximately 300 Easter treats to give out completely free to our younger supporters, so make sure you pop in at midday – once they’re gone, they’re gone!

    On the cart: On Monday, we will be selling retro CCFC merchandise from our cart, which has been kindly loaned to us by Urban Tricycles, for just £1!

    For more information on the fantastic work Urban do, please visit www.urbantricycles.co.uk.

    Live Music: DJ Adam Gowen returns Under the Canopy this weekend, playing music both before and after the match!

    ACADEMY DAY

    Monday is our annual Academy Day at the Deva, where we welcome junior players and staff, as well as introducing our new scholar intake for 2025/26. More details will be posted on chesterfc.com in due course!

    BUY TICKETS

    Tickets for the game are available via Fanbase, with reduced admission prices in place until Sunday 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.

    BUCKET COLLECTION

    During the 2024/25 season, we will be welcoming a variety of local charities to the Deva to make collections around the ground prior to kick off and showcase the amazing work they do.

    This Saturday we welcome Here and Now Chester to the Deva. Please give generously if you can!

    Here and Now is a Social Enterprise set up in June 2015 by dedicated people volunteering in the community to alleviate social isolation for people over the age of 60 in Blacon and Chester City area.

    H&N provides weekly social activities for people to come and meet including a keep active session, a weekly social activity group including a meal entertainment and a chance to try new activities, also a digital buddies session weekly to help people with technology issues. We also organise music and dance sessions at a local sheltered housing scheme and welcome people from local care homes and schools to join our activities fostering community cohesion.

    Our services help people to keep active form new friendships and feel included in the community. Our age range of people coming along to H&N is 60-97 years of age.

    Find us on Facebook: Here and Now Chester Ltd

    Website: www.here-and-now-chester.com

    CAN’T MAKE IT? STAY UPDATED

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    A full time match report on ChesterFC.com: CLICK HERE