Blues Match Preview: Chester FC v Alfreton Town

Chester FC return to CH1 on Saturday to host Alfreton Town, after two successful away trips in four days with wins over Buxton and Leamington.

Our opponents hosted an entertaining clash with Brackley Town on Tuesday night, as the Saints ran out 4-3 victors despite the fact that defender George Carline was forced to replace Jonny Maxted in net for the second half after the goalkeeper was sent off.

Matt Lowe netted a 90th minute winner for Gavin Cowan’s side, which added to first half strikes from Alfie Bates, Connor Hall and Carline, who had a night to remember at North Street.

Our reverse fixture with the Reds in Derbyshire saw an entertaining 2-2 draw, as goals from Kurt Willoughby and Charlie Caton were cancelled out by Jed Abbey and David Moyo.

Calum McIntyre’s men will be without Caton after his move to Accrington Stanley was confirmed on Thursday, but new signing Connor Woods is available after he came off the bench in Tuesday’s 4-1 victory at Leamington.

The Opponents

Alfreton currently sit just outside the play-off spots after their opening 24 league outings, with a two point gap to seventh-placed Darlington.

Billy Heath’s side have endured a poor run of form over recent weeks though, with three tight defeats on the spin, a 3-2 defeat to Buxton on Boxing Day, a 1-0 loss to Curzon Ashton and the aforementioned clash with Brackley.

This season is the Reds’ 10th consecutive campaign in the National League North, a period that  has seen numerous promotion assaults without success.

The club endured disappointment in the play-offs last term as they fell to defeat to eventual promotion winners Boston United, after a penalty shootout decided the result in Derbyshire.

The Gaffer

Billy Heath has been in the dugout at North Street for over six years, after his appointment back in May 2018.

The boss has overseen a positive spell for the club, with numerous promotion challenges after a previous run of lower mid-table finishes.

The 53-year-old has been in management since the 2000/01 campaign, when he started at Bridlington before stints at Frickley Athletic, North Ferriby United and FC Halifax Town.

North Ferriby saw great success with Heath in charge, as the Villagers achieved promotion to the National League for the first time in the club’s history and an FA Trophy victory in 2015, with a win over Wrexham at Wembley.

One To Watch

Exciting midfielder Jed Abbey has been a thorn in the side of several National League North defences throughout the first half of this campaign.

The 23-year-old has netted nine times already this season, which included a crucial late winner over Farsley Celtic, and a close-range finish in the reverse fixture against the Seals.

Abbey started his career in the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy before he featured for a number of West Midlands-based clubs such as AFC Telford United, Stafford Rangers and Alvechurch.

Good form with the latter earned the Dutch-born midfielder a move to South Shields where he made 34 appearances last season, before a switch to North Street in the summer.

League Form Guide

Chester FC | W12 D7 L6 | F37 A27 | Pos: 6th

Last three

Southport (H) | D 0-0 | Scorers: None

Buxton (A) | W 4-2 | Scorers: Charlie Caton x2, Harrison Burke, Jack Bainbridge

Leamington (A) | W 4-1 | Scorers: Charlie Caton, Tom Peers, Kurt Willoughby, Harrison Burke

Alfreton Town | W10 D7 L7 | F32 A28 | Pos: 11th

Last three

Buxton (A) | L 3-2 | Scorers: Lewis Salmon, Max Hunt

Curzon Ashton (H) | L 1-0 | Scorers: None

Brackley Town (H) | L 4-3 | Scorers: Alfie Bates, George Carline, Connor Hall, Matt Lowe

Match Preview by Tom Bird.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday.

Pictured - Connor Woods, Chester FC.