Blues Match Preview: Chester FC v Needham Market

Chester FC return to action today with a home test against Needham Market at the Deva Stadium.

Calum McIntyre’s men consolidated top spot in the National League North with a goalless draw at Oxford City on Tuesday night, as both sides cancelled each other out at the MGroup Stadium.

The reverse fixture with the Marketmen resulted in a late victory for the Seals, as a late Harrison Burke header earned all three points in Suffolk.

The Opponents

Needham Market are embroiled in a battle for survival after a tough debut campaign in the sixth tier, as Tom Rothery’s side sit three points inside the drop zone with 12 games to play.

Despite their lowly league position, the Suffolk-based outfit’s form has improved over the last month, with eye-catching displays against Farsley Celtic and Oxford City that garnered 10 goals across a pair of important wins.

The Marketmen also picked up a useful point in midweek with a 1-1 draw against Leamington, after a second-half strike from Reggie Lamb was cancelled out by a finish from Henry Landers.

Saturday’s clash will be the club’s first ever trip to CH1, after their historic title-winning campaign last season in the Southern Premier League Central Division.

The Gaffer

Tom Rothery is the man tasked with Needham’s battle to stay afloat in the sixth tier after his appointment in early February, following Kevin Horlock’s departure.

Horlock led the club for five years as they ascended to their highest-ever league position after promotion last season, but he resigned following the win over Warrington Town on February 1 and joined eighth tier side Maldon & Tiptree less than a week later.

His replacement, Rothery, had been the assistant manager at Bloomfields for six years after his most recent managerial role at Brightlingsea Regent ended in 2019.

The 41-year-old has made a fairly positive start after his promotion, with seven points from his first six encounters in charge.

One To Watch

Exprienced midfielder Reggie Lambe has been a crucial cog in Needham Market’s system since his arrival from Braintree Town last September.

The 34-year-old has netted on four occasions for the Marketmen, most recently in the aforementioned draw with Leamington on Tuesday night.

Lambe started his career in the youth setup at Ipswich Town but has had spells with Toronto FC and in Sweden at Nyköpings BIS.

The creative midfielder also has an impressive international resume having featured 57 times for Bermuda, with 12 goals to his name.

His most recent cap came in November 2024 in a 6-1 defeat to the Dominican Republic, just four days after he scored the second goal in a 2-1 success over Antigua and Barbuda.

League Form Guide

Chester FC | W19 D9 L7 | F54 A32 | Pos: 1st

Last three

Rushall Olympic (H) | W 4-0 | Scorers: Tom Peers x2, Harrison Burke, Kurt Willoughby

Farsley Celtic (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Tom Peers

Oxford City (A) | D 0-0 | Scorers: None

Needham Market | W8 D8 L18 | F35 A52 | Pos: 21st

Last three

Oxford City (H) | W 4-0 | Scorers: Tevan Allen, Jacob Lay, Jamie McGrath, Charlie Wood

South Shields (A) | L 1-0 | Scorers: None

Leamington (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Reggie Lamb

Match Preview by Tom Bird.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3:00pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday.