BLUES MATCH PREVIEW: CHESTER FC v SOUTH SHIELDS

Only six games remain of the campaign as The Blues welcome 9th-placed South Shields to Chester.

With the end of the season fast approaching, every game and every point is crucial. This weekend’s game epitomises how important these points are, as only three points separate the two sides.

Last weekend,Chester battled hard to earn a useful point away at league leaders Tamworth and Cal McIntrye’s team will be hoping that result can be the catalyst to putting a good run together as the season draws to a close.

The reverse fixture in Tyneside was a successful one for the Seals as a Liam Edwards goal was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 victory back in November.

THE OPPOSITION

South Shields are enjoying a season where they’ve exceeded expectations as they are well in the race for the playoff places following promotion last season.

The Mariners won the Northern Premier Division by eight points with the joint best defensive record in the league, tied with fellow promoted team Warrington Town.

Despite their form being relatively inconsistent throughout the course of the season, Elliott Dickman’s men have recorded famous wins at home against the likes of Chorley, Scunthorpe United and Tamworth.

THE GAFFER

Elliott Dickman is currently the interim manager at the 1^st Cloud Arena, a position he has filled since Boxing Day after former boss Julio Arca was relieved of his duties.

Prior to joining South Shields, the 45-year-old was the Lead Player Development coach for Newcastle United’s Under-21’s.

He initially joined the Mariners as the U16-U19 Academy Manager, but since his promotion to first team coach, Dickman has overseen an improvement and a promotion playoff place is now an achievable dream.

ONE TO WATCH

Striker Paul Blackett has been in scintillating form this season as he has scored a staggering 24 league goals in his first season with the Mariners.

That goal tally means he is comfortably the top goalscorer in the National League North and he is second overall in the National League North and South combined rankings, with only Worthing’s Ollie Pearce (34) scoring more in English football’s sixth tier.

Blackett joined South Shields at the start of this season on a free transfer from Spennymoor Town and ,in arguably his best performance of the season, he came back to haunt his former employers as he bagged a hattrick in a 5-2 dismantling of the Moors.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Chester FC l W16 D14 L10 l F47 A29 l Pos: 6^th

Last Three

Curzon Ashton (H) l D 0-0 l Scorers: N/A

Southport (H) l L 1-0 l Scorers: N/A

Tamworth (A) l D 0-0 l Scorers: N/A

South Shields l W17 D8 L14 l F61 A48 l Pos: 9^th

Last Three

Brackley Town (H) l L 1-0 l Scorers: N/A

Chorley (H) l W 2-1 l Scorers: Aaron Martin, Dylan Stephenson

Buxton (A) l W 2-0 l Scorers: Paul Blackett x2

Match preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm on Saturday afternoon at the Leap76 Stadium.

TICKETS

The quickest and easiest way to buy match tickets is via our online ticketing platform at: 

chesterfc.ktckts.com

Online sales will now be available until kick off and you simply need to present your printed ticket or mobile phone to be scanned at the turnstile.

We still strongly encourage supporters to purchase tickets in advance, as purchasing in advance prior to matchday also provides a saving on the price.

Card/contactless payments are also available at the turnstiles for all open stands.

Supporters can pay with contactless, chip and pin and Apple Pay and Google Pay for The Gary Talbot (East) Stand, Harry McNally (North) Terrace and Swettenham Chemists’ Community (West) Stand. Please note the relevant turnstile further down in this article.

If you wish to pay with cash, you will need to buy your ticket from the Ticket Office before the game, however we advise arriving earlier than normal to reduce queuing times. Cash is not accepted at the turnstiles.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR IMPORTANT MATCHDAY INFORMATION AHEAD OF THE GAME!

WHAT’S ON

Here’s what is going on at the Leap76 Stadium as we host South Shields…

MBNA DAY

Saturday’s game against South Shields is our annual MBNA Day fixture, where we celebrate our long standing partnership with MBNA – our Principal Sponsor since Chester FC’s reformation 14 years ago.

We celebrate our continued relationship on Non-League Day, as we look forward to welcoming hundreds of MBNA colleagues, family and friends into the Hipkiss Stand today.

We will also have MBNA representatives upstairs in the Legends Lounge as our Match, Ball and Programme Sponsors – as well as 11 mascots representing the credit card provider.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

NUFFIELD HEALTH

Our Official Health and Wellbeing Partners, Nuffield Health, will also be outside the ground prior to the game with plenty for supporters to enjoy!