Blues Match Preview: Chester FC v Darlington

Chester FC's penultimate home fixture of the regular season sees the Seals welcome Steve Watson’s Darlington to the Deva Stadium.

Last weekend, the spoils were shared with Hereford at Edgar Street following a thrilling 2-2 draw. Tom Peers recorded his 20th goal of the campaign, while Connor Woods netted his first goal for the club.

That point leaves Calum McIntyre and his players in fourth position with just four games remaining.

The Blues are undefeated down CH1 this calendar year, a streak that can be extended to 10 matches tomorrow afternoon.

THE OPPOSTION

Darlington still have a slight chance of breaking into the play-offs, with five points separating them from seventh place Hereford

Steve Watson’s outfit are unbeaten in their last five matches in the National League North. That  includes winning their last two games, albeit against teams that have since been confirmed as relegated from the division.

A fortnight ago, the Quakers beat Warrington Town 3-2 away from home, before surviving a slight scare to sweep aside Farsley Celtic 4-2 at Blackwell Meadows.

In the reverse fixture, a second-half strike from Cedric Main was enough for Darlo to claim all three points on a cold November evening.

Since their relegation from the National League in 2012 after falling into financial difficulty, the County Durham club have re-established themselves as a mainstay in the sixth tier. This is their eighth successive campaign at this level.

THE GAFFER

The Deva Stadium is familiar territory for current Darlington manager Steve Watson.

In December 2021, the now 51-year-old became our sixth permanent managerial appointment since reformation.

Watson spent the second half of the season managing the Blues, before parting ways with the club when the campaign concluded.

After being appointed Darlington manager on the final day of 2023, the Englishman steadied the ship and steered them clear of relegation.

The former right-back enjoyed an illustrious playing career having made over a century of appearances for both Newcastle United and Everton.

Following his retirement in 2009, Watson became a coach at Huddersfield Town before going on to manage Gateshead and York City.

ONE TO WATCH

Cedric Main caused the Seals plenty of issues in the reverse fixture at Blackwell Meadows.

The Surinamese striker has netted nine goals in the National League North this season including the winner in Darlington’s 1-0 victory over the Blues in November. The forward has also collected four assists this term.

Main was a budding talent at AFC Ajax Amateurs before having a brief spell in Spain with CF La Nucia and Almagro.

In 2021, he signed for FC United of Manchester before moving to the North East with the likes of South Shields and Blyth Spartans.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Chester FC | W21 D12 L9 | F65 A43 | Pos: 4th

Last Three

Scunthorpe United (A) | L 3-1 | Scorers: Kurt Willoughby

Curzon Ashton (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Will Hayhurst (O.G.)

Hereford (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: Tom Peers & Connor Woods

Darlington | W17 D14 L11 | F56 A49 | Pos: 11th

Last Three

Chorley (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Caden Kelly

Warrington Town (A) | W 3-2 | Scorers: Will McGowan, Cedric Main & Louis Storey

Farsley Celtic (H) | W 4-2 | Scorers: Jack Maskell x2, Caden Kelly & Sam Hetherington

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

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