Blues Match Preview: Chester FC v Marine

Chester FC welcome Neil Young’s Marine on Easter Monday for their final home match of the regular season.

Calum McIntyre and his players secured a spot in the play-offs on Good Friday courtesy of a narrow victory away to Southport.

Over 1,000 travelling Seals watched on as Connor Woods continued his prolific streak in front of goal by netting for the third successive match.

Another triumph this afternoon would guarantee the Blues finish inside the top four of the National League North and match our points tally from two seasons ago.

In the reverse fixture on Boxing Day, goals from Dylan Mottley-Henry, Iwan Murray and Harrison Burke ensured we were on the positive side of a five-goal thriller at Rossett Park.

THE OPPOSITION

Marine have comfortably avoided relegation in their first ever season in the sixth tier of English football.

Former Chester manager Neil Young has steered the Merseyside-based club into 15th position, with an impressive 16-point margin over the drop zone with two games remaining.

In mid-February, the Mariners were languishing in the dreaded bottom four before embarking on a rampant run of form.

They went undefeated for nine matches, which included seven priceless victories. They commenced the awe-inspiring streak by dispatching of current league leaders Kidderminster Harriers in a 3-1 triumph. Away victories at Curzon Ashton and Spennymoor Town followed as well as overcoming fellow relegation candidates Needham Market and Radcliffe.

Marine earned promotion into the National League North last campaign through the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-offs.

Young’s outfit edged out Macclesfield in the final back in May, with current Chester midfielder Jack Bainbridge scoring the winner.

THE GAFFER

Neil Young is a promotion-winning specialist having clinched an astounding seven in his managerial career.

There of those came in his successful stint with Chester, as the 49-year-old masterminded the Seals to the National League following reformation. His expertise resulted in the club lifting the NPL North, NPL Premier and Conference North titles in consecutive seasons.

Young joined Marine in 2018 and famously led the Merseyside minnows to a third round FA Cup tie at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

That historic cup run assisted their impressive rise, which culminated in them beating Macclesfield in the play-off final last year.

Earlier on in the week, the Mariners announced a staff restructuring, which will see Young relinquish his role as first-team manager after a fruitful spell.

From next season, the former Stockport County and Colwyn Bay boss will become Marine’s first ever Director of Football. This shift in responsibility will see Young lead all football operations, which includes shaping their sporting strategy.

ONE TO WATCH

Central defender James Butler has been a key part of Marine’s defensive solidity in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old’s recent contributions has helped his side record three clean sheets in their last four matches.

The 4-1 away loss to Scarborough is the exception in that period, but Butler came away with some credit due to scoring the opener.

Marine signed the Englishman from Warrington Rylands last summer for an undisclosed fee.

Football is in his blood, as his father is former EFL defender Tony Butler. Butler Senior made over 450 appearances in a distinguished career that was spent with the likes of Gillingham, Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Chester FC | W23 D12 L9 | F68 A44 | Pos: 4th

Last Three

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

Darlington (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Tom Peers, Connor Woods

Southport (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Connor Woods

Marine | W15 D10 L19 | F40 A54 | Pos: 15th

Last Three

Scarborough Athletic (A) | L 4-1 | Scorers: James Butler

Chorley (A) | D 0-0 | Scorers: N/A

Warrington Town (H) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Finlay Sinclair-Smith

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at The Deva Stadium on Easter Monday.