BLUES MATCH PREVIEW: BRACKLEY TOWN v CHESTER FC

Chester FC's final away outing of the regular season sees Calum McIntyre’s side travel to Northamptonshire, as they face third place Brackley Town.

The Seals have been in superb form on the road recently, and last weekend’s performance epitomised that. Chester thrashed Gloucester City 6-1, in what was our most dominant and clinical display of the campaign. That result, coupled with the convincing 4-1 victory at Buxton a fortnight ago, means our last two away score lines have a combined aggregate score of 10-2.

The reverse fixture in December saw George Glendon score the only goal of the game as we beat Gavin Cowan’s Brackley 1-0 at the Leap76 stadium.

The Blues currently sit only three points outside of the play-off places with two huge games still to play. Goal difference may be crucial, which would favour Chester tremendously, as our goal difference of +23 is considerably higher than the teams around us in the table.

THE OPPOSITION

Brackley Town have yet again been a force to be reckoned with this season as they sit in third place with a play-off place already guaranteed.

After finishing fourth last year, The Saints narrowly missed out on promotion to the National League at the final hurdle in front of their home support, as Kidderminster Harriers beat them 2-0 In the play-off final at St James’ Park.

Gavin Cowan’s outfit are on an unbeaten run of ten games, which includes six wins out of their seven matches . With the play-offs looming, they will be looking to preserve that momentum, as they look to get promoted from the play-offs at the sixth consecutive time of asking (excluding the 2020-21 season that was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic). It’s fair to say Calum McIntyre and his players have their work cut out this weekend.

THE GAFFER

In his first season with the Saints, Gavin Cowan’s work has been a continuation of the success that Brackley Town have enjoyed over the last few years.

Brackley is his second job in football management, as he was the manager of AFC Telford United for a three years spell before departing in 2021.

The 42 year old was a central defender in his playing career, turning out for a plethora of non-league English clubs such as AFC Telford and Nuneaton Town as well as having a brief spell with Shrewsbury Town between 2005 and 2007.

The German born manager is the founder of his own football academy and has a podcast along with a couple of his old Shrewsbury teammates.

ONE TO WATCH

Brackley’s captain Gareth Dean has been a rock at the heart of defence this season and has led the team to seven clean sheets in their last nine games.

Dean joined his current employers at the start of the 2016/17 season on a free transfer from Solihull Moors and since then the 34-year-old has assumed a leadership role at St James Park.

Whilst at the club, Dean has captained Brackley as they have consistently placed at the top end of the table.

After last week’s 2-1 win away at Boston United, Brackley midfielder Tommy O’Sullivan earned a spot in Vanarama’s National League North Team of the Week for is all-encompassing display. The whole team work together as a cohesive unit, with any player capable of providing a strong performance.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Brackley Town | W23 D10 L11 | F57 A35 GD: +22 | Pos: 3^rd

Last Three

Gloucester City (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: George Carline

Tamworth (H) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Morgan Roberts, George Carline, Zak Lilly

Boston United (A) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Connor Hall, Danny Newton

Chester FC | W18 D14 L12 | F57 A34 GD: +23| Pos: 9^th

Last Three

 Buxton (A) | W 4-1 | Scorers: Declan Weeks, Harrison Burke, Adam Thomas, Tom Peers

Alfreton Town (H) | L 2-0 | Scorers: N/A

Gloucester City (A) | W 6-1 | Scorers: Harrison Burke X2, Tom Peers, George Glendon, Adam Thomas, Ben Tollitt

Match Preview By Jude Deedigan

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at St James Park on Saturday.

The postcode for the ground is NN13 7EJ. 

Segregation is in place for this fixture, with Chester fans entering via Turnstiles 1, 2 and 3.