BLUES MATCH PREVIEW: CHESTER FC v SPENNYMOOR TOWN

After two away games on the bounce, Calum McIntyre’s men are back at the Leap76 Stadium on Saturday as they host Spennymoor Town.

The Seals can make it nine games unbeaten against the Moors, while Wyll Stanway can reach a personal milestone as a defensive shutout will earn him his 20th clean sheet of the season.

THE OPPOSITION:

Spennymoor sit 16th in the National League North after dropping down the division during an 11 match winless run between November and February.

Their form has improved recently under the guidance of new manager Graeme Lee, who was appointed on the 2nd January, with Spennymoor winning three out of their last four against Southport, Blyth Spartans and Warrington Town.

The playoffs have eluded the Moors in their previous two campaigns, with the club missing out by three points in 2021/22 and cruelly on goal difference last season, with Gloucester City claiming seventh place on the final day.

THE GAFFER:

As mentioned previously, Graeme Lee was appointed in January and following an initial rocky spell he has turned the club’s poor form around in recent weeks, losing just once in their last five matches.

The 45-year-old began his managerial career at Hartlepool United in December 2021 before being dismissed in May 2022 after a 17th placed finish in League Two.

During his time at Victoria Park, Lee took the club to the EFL Trophy semi-finals while also reaching the FA Cup fourth round before losing to Crystal Palace.

The former Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford City defender began the season as manager of Marske United in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, before stepping down to join Spennymoor.

ONE TO WATCH:

Last season’s Fans Player of the Year John Lufudu re-joined the club last week on loan from South Shields for the rest of the campaign.

The right back picked up three goals and six assists from 37 appearances last season and has made an instant impact since returning to The Brewery Field, helping the side to two wins from two.

The 29-year-old has moved up the Non League pyramid throughout his career, previously featuring for Tadcaster Albion, Carlton Town, Sheffield FC and Guiseley before his move to the North-East.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE:

Chester FC | W16 D10 L9 | F44 A25 | Pos 4th

Last three

Scarborough Athletic (H) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Elliott Whitehouse, George Glendon, Tom Peers

Farsley Celtic (A) | W 1-2 | Scorers: Ben Tollitt, Elliott Whitehouse

Hereford (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Elliott Whitehouse

Spennymoor Town | W12 D6 L14 | F46 A50 | Pos 16th

Last three

Chorley (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Mikael Ndjoli

Blyth Spartans (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Corey McKeown, Robert Ramshaw

Warrington Town (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Lebrun Mbeka, Reece Staunton

Match preview by Tom Bird.

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 via the below link, 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.

MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING FOCUS FIXTURE:

This Saturday’s game against Spennymoor Town at the Leap76 Stadium is our Mental Health and Wellbeing fixture.

We are focusing on mental health this weekend and showcasing the work some of our partners do in the local community and beyond, with our partners Platform for Life, Nuffield Health and the Community Trust.