Blues Match Preview: Brackley Town v Chester FC

Phil Parkinson’s side kick off a challenging stretch in the Enterprise National League North this afternoon, with a trip to Brackley Town.

It's the first of four away games in the next five outings in the division, covering an initial 250 of a gruelling 800-mile month on the road. 

After a challenging week, the Blues will be looking to get back to winning ways following last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Hednesford Town and a midweek exit in the Cheshire Senior Cup at Crewe Alexandra.

The strength of our squad will be tested down in Northamptonshire as Connor Murphy and Wesley Frimpong will both be missing due to suspension.

Opposition 

Brackley Town have found their feet in the last month after struggling to adjust to the demands in the early weeks of their return to step two.

Victories against Worksop Town, Spennymoor Town and, most impressively, high-flying South Shields have turned the tide on a tough opening to the campaign. Before this, a solitary 2-1 triumph at Telford was their only win from the first five outings.

The Saints ended Worksop’s five-game unbeaten run last time out, securing a 1-0 victory thanks to a composed finish from DJ Campton-Sturridge on the half-hour mark.

It was a big result for Gareth Dean’s side, marking their first clean sheet under the new boss and just their second of the season.

Prior to this, the Saints had struggled at the back, letting in seven goals in their last four fixtures with only the bottom four having conceded more this season.

Gaffer 

Gareth Dean took the reins following Andy Whing’s resignation in September. At the time, the Saints were sitting in the relegation zone with just two wins to their name after their opening eight outings.

The former captain has since steadied the ship, lifting them five places clear of the drop zone, after they collected 11 points out of a possible 18.

This isn’t his first experience in the St James Park dugout though, as he took charge in April 2023 and this January on an interim basis, making his only previous managerial experience.

Despite his lack of time on the sidelines, he’s managed to maintain an impressive home record, securing four wins out of nine in Northamptonshire.

During his first period as temporary boss, he took his side to the 2022/23 National League North play-off final, where they took down Gloucester City and the Blues before their journey ended at the hands of Kidderminster Harriers at the final hurdle.

The defender hung up his boots over the summer as a fan-favourite, with his winning goal at Wembley to secure the 2018 FA Trophy marking the crowning achievement of his 10-year spell.

The Saints will be hoping he carries his promotion expertise from his playing days into management, as he captained Nuneaton Town and Brackley Town up the leagues while achieving the same feat at Solihull Moors.

One to watch

DJ Campton-Sturridge has thrived as an impact substitute for Brackley Town so far this season, netting four times off the bench in an impressive October, lifting himself to the top of the club’s goalscoring charts.

The 25-year-old made a huge contribution to Brackley’s seven points this month with winners against Spennymoor and Worksop Town, alongside a valuable brace to secure a draw away to Spalding United.

In addition to rescuing that point, his quickfire double in Lincolnshire secured the former Alvechurch forward a place in the National League North Team of the Week for the third time in his career.

Campton-Sturridge earned his move to St James Park after spearheading Oxford City’s survival last term. The forward hit double figures for the first time in his career, with his goals proving vital as they avoided the relegation zone by four points.

An Aston Villa academy product, he spent 14 years in the youth ranks at Villa Park and impressed at the Under-21 level before departing for senior football in 2023.

From there, he gained a wealth of experience primarily in the National League North where he plied his trade at the likes of Banbury United, Farsley Celtic, and Hereford.

Match Preview by Harry Bennett.

Form Guide

Brackley Town | W5 D4 L6 | F18 A26 | Pos: 16th 

Last three

• Worksop Town (A) | (W) 1-0 | Scorers: DJ Campton-Sturridge
• Spalding United (A)  | (D) 2-2 | Scorers: DJ Campton-Sturridge x2
• Radcliffe (H) | (L) 1-0 | Scorers: None

Chester FC | W7 D2 L5 | F17 A14 | Pos: 9th

Last three

• Crewe Alexandra  | (L) 2-1 | Scorers: Kofi Moore
• Hednesford (H) | (L) 1-0 | Scorers: None
• Marine (H) | (W) 2-1 | Scorers: Sam Foley, Jefferson Abreu

MATCH DETAILS

The match at St James Park will kick-off at 15:00 on Saturday 7th Noevmber.

The postcode for the ground is NN13 7EJ.

The match will be segregated.