Blues Match Preview: Darlington v Chester FC

Chester FC travel to Darlington on Saturday with a chance to build on last weekend’s FA Cup Second Qualifying Round success over Stalybridge Celtic.

The Blues’ most recent league action saw a 1-1 home draw with high-flying Scarborough Athletic, as Dylan Mottley-Henry cancelled out Rio Allan’s early strike with a stoppage time header.

Our last victory at Blackwell Meadows came in April 2023 during our 21-match unbeaten run on the road.

Success came courtesy of moments from midfielder partners Declan Weeks and Elliott Whitehouse, who netted either side of half-time to claim all three points.

The Opposition:

The Quakers have endured a mixed start to their campaign and sit with an identical record to the Blues after eight games, with two wins, three draws and three defeats to their name.

Both successes have come away from Blackwell Meadows for Steve Watson’s side, as a 3-0 win at Alfreton Town in mid-August was backed up by a 4-1 victory on the road at Marine at the start of September.

A second-half fightback earned progression from the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round last Saturday, as Darlington turned a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 lead during a manic nine-minute spell against Bootle.

Will McGowan grabbed a brace with goals in the 67th and 73rd minute before ex-Gateshead forward Tom Allan rounded off the scoring and made the result safe just three minutes later.

The Gaffer:

Ex-Chester boss Steve Watson has been at the helm at Blackwell Meadows since December 2023.

His initial task was to protect the club’s National League North status, with Darlington heavily involved in a relegation fight at the time of his appointment.

The 51-year-old led the Quakers to safety by the end of the season, finishing the 2023/24 campaign in 16th, with a six-point buffer above the drop zone.

A play-off push in the following season didn’t materialise for the club, who ended last term in 11th, eight points behind seventh-placed Buxton.

In his playing days, Watson’s most notable stint came with Newcastle United, whom he featured on over 200 occasions for between 1990-98.

He then plied his trade for Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion, before retirement in 2009 whilst at Sheffield Wednesday.

One To Watch:

Promising forward Jack Maskell has led the line in superb fashion over recent weeks, with a record of four goals in his last three league matches.

The 21-year-old bagged a brace in the aforementioned 4-1 success over Marine on Merseyside, as the Quakers scored three in the opening 33 minutes to take control of the contest.

Maskell’s most recent finish earned a point at home against Hereford, a result that preserved Darlington’s position above the Bulls in the National League North table.

The striker first caught the eye of higher league opposition when he picked up the Northern League Division Two Young Player of the Season award whilst playing for Horden CW in the 2022/23 season.

These performances earned Maskell a move to Dunston UTS, where he scored 26 goals in 36 NPL East Division outings, including a hat-trick in the play-off final against Stockton Town.

League Form Guide:

Darlington FC | W2 D3 L3 | F15 A13 | Pos: 15th

Last three

• Macclesfield (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Maskell
• Marine (A) | W 4-1 | Scorers: Allan, Maskell x2, McGowan
• Hereford (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Maskell

Chester FC | W2 D2 L3 | F10 A16 | Pos: 17th

Last three

• Worksop Town (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Rawlinson
• AFC Fylde (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: P. Jones x2
• Scarborough Athletic (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Mottley-Henry

MATCH DETAILS:

Kick off at Blackwell Meadows will be at 15:00.

The postcode for the ground is DL1 5NR.

The match will be segregated and Chester FC have received an allocation of both standing and seated tickets.