Blues Match Preview: Leamington v Chester FC

Chester FC are on the road once again as they travel to Leamington on Tuesday night.

Calum McIntyre’s side dealt with the snowy conditions gracefully to win their first away game of 2025 on the weekend. The players came from behind twice to eventually beat fellow play-off contenders Buxton 4-2 at the Silverlands.

Our top scorer Charlie Caton bagged a brace, while Harrison Burke netted his seventh of the season to go into the interval 3-2 up.

Jack Bainbridge put the contest beyond Buxton in the second period with a measured finish, which was his first goal for the club.

After a vibrant display, spirits will be high as we search for our third successive away victory tomorrow night.

THE OPPOSITION

Leamington haven’t played since New Year’s Day after their fixtures against Buxton and Southport were postponed.

The Brakes started the calendar year by narrowly edging out Hereford with Chester loanee Dan Turner recording the first goal of his second spell with the club.

They currently occupy 17th position in the league and are eight points clear of safety in their first season back in the sixth tier.

The Warwickshire based outfit competed in the National League North for six seasons before they were relegated in the 2022/23 season.

However, Paul Holleran’s team earned promotion at the first time of asking as they won the Southern Premier Division Central play-offs.

The Seals have a tough away test ahead of them as Leamington have the best points per game home record in the division. They have collected 23 points from just 11 matches at Your Co-Op Community Stadium.

THE GAFFER

Paul Holleran is the longest serving manager in the division having managed Leamington since 2009.

The Englishman is quickly approaching his 750th game in the hot seat at the club after reaching 700 games back in March.

The 54-year-old’s playing career was prematurely ended after two knee operations forced him into retirement.

But he didn’t let his unwavering love of the sport go to waste as he dedicated himself to coaching.

Prior to his lengthy stint as Leamington manager, Holleran was at the helm at Rushall Olympic, Solihull Moors and Halesowen Town.

Alongside leading the club back to the sixth tier last campaign, the stalwart has also guided the Brakes to three Birmingham Senior Cup triumphs.

ONE TO WATCH

Callum Stewart is one of the league’s most prolific marksman and is currently the joint top goal scorer in the National League North.

The Englishman has struck on 14 occasions this term and is tied with South Shields’ Paul Blackett in the race for the Golden Boot award. After his brace against Buxton, our very own Charlie Caton is only one goal behind the leading pair.

Stewart joined his current employers in the summer of 2023 from Coventry Sphinx. He made the local switch with goalscoring pedigree having recorded 40 goals in the United Counties League.

The forward netted 22 times last term and has carried his clinical form into the step above.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Leamington FC | W8 D5 L10 | F30 A26 | Pos: 17th

Last Three

Curzon Ashton (H) | W 4-1 | Scorers: Callum Stewart x3 & Adam Walker

Brackley Town (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Tim Berridge

Hereford (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Dan Turner & Henry Landers

Chester FC | W11 D7 L6 | F33 A26 | Pos: 6th

Last Three

Marine (A) | W 3-2 | Scorers: Dylan Mottley-Henry, Iwan Murray, Harrison Burke

Southport (H) | D 0-0 | Scorers: N/A

Buxton (A) | W 4-2 | Scorers: Charlie Caton x2, Harrison Burke & Jack Bainbridge

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 7.45pm at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium on Tuesday night.

The address for the ground is: 

Harbury Lane, Bishops Tachbrook Leamington Spa, CV33 9QB.

Pictured - Blues Boss, Calum McIntyre.