Blues Match Preview: Chester v Hereford

Chester FC are back at the Deva Stadium tonight, for an Enterprise National League North clash with Hereford.

It’s the second instalment of back-to-back home league fixtures for Calum McIntyre’s side, who earned all three points on Saturday, courtesy of a 2-0 success over Leamington.

Dylan Mottley-Henry headed home from a well-directed Lewis Leigh free-kick for the opener in the seventh minute, before Pat Jones’ curled effort from just outside the box to double the lead just 11 minutes later.

The Opposition:

Hereford have endured a tough start to 25/26 and find themselves in 23rd, with a record of 16 points from 16 games.

Due to postponements against Macclesfield and Scarborough Athletic, the Bulls’ most recent league fixture, a 2-1 home defeat to Southport, was 17 days ago.

Paul Caddis’ side did progress in the Isuzu FA Trophy during that period though, with a 5-1 success in the Second Round over AFC Sudbury.

Our most recent meeting with Hereford ended in a share of the points at Edgar Street, as goals from Tom Peers and Connor Woods were cancelled out by Jaiden White and Jason Cowley.

The Gaffer:

Paul Caddis is now well over 100 games into his first managerial venture, having been appointed as Bulls boss in the summer of 2023.

Both of his completed campaigns at Edgar Street have ended narrowly outside the play-off spots, six points adrift in 23/24, and just a solitary point outside the top seven last term.

The Scotsman’s most notable spell as a player came at Birmingham City, where he made over 100 appearances between 2012-17.

Whilst with the Blues, Caddis was responsible for one of the Championship’s most dramatic escapes from relegation, as his late goal away at Bolton Wanderers secured survival on the final day of the 2013/14 campaign.

The 37-year-old played for a number of other clubs, including Celtic, Swindon Town, Blackburn Rovers, and Bradford City.

One To Watch:

Remaye Campbell has been a major threat for the Bulls since his switch to Herefordshire in February 2025.

The forward has netted on three occasions so far this term, firstly a brace that earned all three points during an impressive success against Buxton, before another important strike helped Hereford to a win at Leamington.

The 25-year-old started his career in Notts County’s youth setup, before stints at Grantham Town, Ilkeston Town, Basford United, Kettering Town, and Matlock Town.

League Form Guide:

Chester FC | W5 D8 L4 | F24 A26 | Pos: 14th

Last three

Buxton (A) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Bainbridge x2

Southport (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: Zanzala, Woods

Leamington (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Mottley-Henry, P. Jones

Hereford | W4 D4 L8 | F19 A28 | Pos: 23rd

Last three

Curzon Ashton (H) | D 3-3 | Scorers: Sterling-James x3

Oxford City (A) | L 3-0 | Scorers: None

Southport (H) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Hamilton

MATCH DETAILS:

The match will kick-off at 19:45 at the Deva Stadium.