Throwback: FA Cup Second Qualifying Round
Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Stalybridge Celtic at Bower Fold, let’s take a look back at one of our recent successes in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.
Calum McIntyre’s side travelled to North Yorkshire to face NCEL Premier Division side Tadcaster Albion for a contest that was broadcast live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
The Blues boss made four alterations to his side that had claimed victory over Blyth Spartans on the previous weekend, as Joel Taylor, George Glendon, Adam Thomas and Harrison Burke were all introduced to the side.
The ‘cupset’ looked to be on when our ninth-tier opponents took the lead on the 20-minute mark courtesy of Kieran Greenway who placed his finish past Wyll Stanway in the away goal.
It took until after the interval for Chester to find the leveller, but it eventually arrived through Iwan Murray in the 49th minute.
The midfielder showed fantastic control to chest the ball down before he cut inside the Albion back line and smashed into the roof of the net.
Two Blues academy graduates combined for the lead with only six minutes of normal time to play, as Murray fed Burke in a tale that would become very familiar in the season that followed.
Iwan’s corner found Burke, who powered a header past Tadcaster ‘keeper Chris Elliott to break the hosts’ resistance.
Qualification into the Third Qualifying Round was secured in the 89th minute when Charlie Caton sent a drilled finish past Elliott after Declan Weeks’ floated pass was inadvertently headed into the forward’s path by an Albion defender.
Second Qualifying Round success was secured for the Seals, who followed it up with wins over Nantwich Town and Hartlepool United to reach the First Round Proper.
The draw set Chester a tough task against National League outfit York City at the Deva Stadium, a contest which saw the Blues force a replay after a goalless draw.
McIntyre’s side eventually fell to a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at the LNER Community Stadium in front of 755 travelling Seals.
Our next chapter in the FA Cup starts this weekend, see you in Stalybridge!