PREVIEW | AFC Fylde v Chester

Monday 8 January 2018

The Blues are straight back into action tomorrow night – with a tough test away at AFC Fylde on the agenda for Marcus Bignot’s side.

Bignot will be pleased with the solidity of his team in their last game. Chester went and picked up a fantastic three points away at Ebbsfleet. Harry White got off the mark for the Seals in the National League – scoring the only goal of the game at Stonebridge Road.

Nevertheless, it was a good display from all the Blues players who played their part. The defence were solid and could not be breached and – when called upon – Sam Hornby made a fantastic save late on.

Chester will be without Andy Halls and Lathaniel Rowe-Turner tomorrow night due to suspension.

The Blues cut the gap on Barrow to six points with two games in hand after Saturday. One of those games is tonight – but it will be a real test.

AFC Fylde’s attempts to reach the Football League by 2022 are looking like a strong possibility. After smashing our National League North records last season on their way to the Championship, they have recruited well and built on last seasons success.

Dave Challinor (a Chester local) and his side reached the Second Round of the FA Cup this term. Drawing with League One Wigan 1-1 at home in front of the BBC cameras, they suffered late hearbreak in the replay at the DW Stadium – losing 3-2 with Will Grigg scoring a brace in the last ten minutes.

They sit just six points off the play-offs spots and, just like Chester, have two games in hand.

It is a game in hand that means a lot to both sides for different reasons – and promises to be a fiercely competitive encounter.

History Books

Club Historian Chas Sumner picks out some stats ahead of the game…

Chester are making their first ever visit to Mill Farm but played three times at the old Kellamergh Park ground
In the only previous league meeting in Fylde, in April 2011, Chester won 3-1 with goals from Michael Powell, Robbie Booth and Michael Wilde
In February 2011 Chester won a President’s Cup quarter final at Fylde 3-0 with goals from Kyle Wilson, Iain Howard and Robbie Booth
In July 2012 Chester lost a pre-season friendly at Fylde 1-0.
In Chester’s first game of the season the two sides shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Lucas Dawson scored for Chester.

One To Watch

Jack Muldoon – Forward

We picked Danny Rowe last month – so we can’t pick him again! Fylde are a side that can cause damage with pace in behind the defence – and Muldoon is a player that can definitely make a difference. The attacking player – who can operate out wide or up front – scored the winner in their impressive 1-0 win at Bromley on Saturday. It was definitely seen as a coup when the Coasters nabbed Muldoon from Lincoln in the summer. He made 66 league appearances for Lincoln over a two-year spell. He also played a major role in the Imps’ journey to the FA Cup Quarter-Finals, starting in Lincoln’s historic 1-0 win over Premier League side Burnley and the Quarter-Final itself against Arsenal.