Blues Match Preview: Chester FC v Darlington

Chester FC welcome Darlington to the Deva Stadium this afternoon, in another Enterprise National League North game.

Today sees the second of back-to-back outings at the Deva Stadium for the Blues as Darlington travel to CH1.

The clash marks Kevin Roberts’ final fixture in his footballing career, as he calls time on his incredible playing career at the age of 36 take up a full-time physiotherapy role in the EFL.

The Opposition

A positive campaign to date has left the Quakers in fifth, two points above eighth-placed Scarborough Athletic.

February saw 10 points gathered from six encounters, with three wins coming in succession against Spennymoor Town, Curzon Ashton, and Bedford Town.

Midweek action was less fruitful for Steve Watson’s men as they fell to a narrow home defeat at the hands of Macclesfield, who picked up all three points courtesy of a James Gale brace.

The Gaffer

Ex-Chester manager Steve Watson is over two years into a spell at Blackwell Meadows following his appointment in December 2023.

Watson led the club to safety during his first campaign, overseeing an impressive rise from the relegation zone to an eventual finish of 16th, six points above the bottom four.

The 51-year-old’s most notable stint as a player arrived with Newcastle United between 1990-98, a spell in which he featured over 200 times for the Magpies.

North Shields born, Watson retired from his playing days in 2009 with Sheffield Wednesday, having also turned out Aston Villa, Everton, and West Bromwich Albion during a distinguished career.

One to Watch

Cedric Main has been in fine form for the Quakers in recent months, with 10 goals to his name in his previous 11 outings.

The Surinamese forward also found the net on 11 occasions last term, one of which came against the Blues at Blackwell Meadows in November 2024.

Main came through the ranks at AFC Ajax Amateurs, before a move in Spanish football in 2018, which was followed by a switch to FC United of Manchester in 2021.

Since then, the 28-year-old has featured for South Shields, Blyth Spartans, and York City.

League Form Guide

Chester FC | W13 D11 L12 | F52 A57 | Pos: 10th

Last three

• Leamington (A) | W 2-0 | Scorers: P. Jones, T. Davies
• Hereford (A) | L 5-2 | Scorers: Shrimpton, Woods
• Spennymoor Town (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Shrimpton x2

Darlington | W16 D8 L10 | F65 A49 | Pos: 5th

Last three

• Curzon Ashton (A) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Maskell, Main
• Bedford Town (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Main, Maskell
• Macclesfield (H) | l L 2-1 | Scorers: Maskell

MATCH DETAILS

The match will kick-off at 15:00 at the Deva Stadium.