Blues Match Preview: King’s Lynn Town v Chester

Chester FC travel to Norfolk today for an Enterprise National League North clash with King’s Lynn Town.

It ends an eight-day stretch of three successive away fixtures for the Blues, following last Saturday’s abandonment at Spennymoor Town and Tuesday night’s victory at Radcliffe.

Our last meeting with the Linnets came back in April on the final day of the regular campaign last term, as goals from Kurt Willoughby, Jack Bainbridge, and Dylan Mottley-Henry secured all three points on the road.

The Opposition

King’s Lynn have endured an inconsistent start to their league campaign, with a change in the dugout that coincided with a nine-match winless run throughout September and October.

Form has improved under new boss Ian Culverhouse, and the Linnets currently find themselves unbeaten in their last five, a streak that has included wins over Leamington, Buxton, and Oxford City.

As a result, the club sit 15th in the NLN, with a record of 25 points from their opening 19 outings.

The Gaffer

A previously mentioned, Ian Culverhouse made his return to the club at the end of October for a third spell at The Walks, after a hugely successful second that included promotion to the National League in 2020.

The former defender made his name at fellow Norfolk-based outfit Norwich City, whom he made over 250 appearances for between 1985-94.

Other spells as a player saw his feature for Tottenham Hotspur, Swindon Town, and Brighton and Hove Albion, before he retired in 2000.

After roles in the coaching teams at Colchester United, Norwich City, Aston Villa, and Dagenham and Redbridge, Culverhouse took his first step into first-team management with the Linnets in 2017.

Since then, the 61-year-old has been in the dugout at Grantham Town, Kettering Town, Boston United, and St. Albans City, whom he left to rejoin King’s Lynn in October.

One to Watch

Experienced midfielder Michael Clunan made a return to Norfolk in the summer after earning promotion from this level with Scunthorpe United.

The 31-year-old was immediately named club captain after the move, following a previous nine-year stint at The Walks between 2014-23.

He has started in all-but-one of the Linnets’ games so far this term, with one goal to his name in a tight defeat to AFC Fylde in mid-October.

King’s Lynn-born, Clunan started his career in the youth setup at Norwich City, before short spells with Boston United, Histon, and Lowestoft Town.

League Form Guide

King’s Lynn Town | W6 D7 L6 | F28 A25 | Pos: 15th

Last three

• South Shields (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Omotayo
• Buxton (H) | W 3-2 | Scorers: Hall-Johnson, Fleming, Marriott
• Oxford City (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Marriott

Chester FC | W6 D9 L4 | F28 A28 | Pos: 11th

Last three

• Leamington (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Mottley-Henry, P. Jones
• Hereford (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Woods
• Radcliffe (A) | W 3-1 | Scorers: P. Jones, Peers, Woods

MATCH DETAILS

Saturday’s game at The Walks will kick-off at 15:00.

The postcode for the ground is PE30 5PB.