Blues Match Preview: Needham Market v Chester FC

The Blues make the long trip down to Suffolk on Saturday to play Needham Market, as they look to bounce back from Tuesday’s defeat to Darlington.

It will be the first meeting between the two clubs in history, following the Marketmen’s promotion to the National League North last season.

The Opponents

Needham Market currently sit 23rd in their first ever sixth tier campaign, following a tricky start in which they have picked up 12 points from their opening 16 league encounters.

Kevin Horlock’s side picked up a solid point on the road at Rushall Olympic in midweek, when Adam Mills’ opener was cancelled out by Laithe Fairnie in the 83rd minute.

The Marketmen have one home victory to their name so far this campaign, a historic 3-0 success over South Shields at the beginning of October, courtesy of a brace from Kieran Morphew and a third from Reggie Lambe.

Their other two wins came in impressive fashion, as they beat Warrington Town and Hereford in the space of just four days away from home.

The Blues will be travelling to Bloomfields for the first time on Saturday, a ground which has been used by our opponents since 1996.

The Gaffer

As previously mentioned, Kevin Horlock is the boss of the Marketmen, and has been since his appointment in February 2020.

The Northern Irishman was previously the head of academy for eight months before his promotion to the first team, and has worked wonders ever since.

Three seasons of mid-table security were followed by a stunning title-winning campaign last term, as his side finished three points above second-placed AFC Telford United in the Southern Premier Division Central.

The 52-year-old’s previous endeavours into first team management came at Chatham Town and Maldon & Tiptree, but Horlock has held roles with the U21 sides of Colchester United and Northern Ireland.

Horlock also had a distinguished playing career and featured for the likes of Manchester City, West Ham United and Swindon Town.

One To Watch

Tevan Allen has started every league contest for the Marketmen so far this term and has been a bright spark in a tough campaign to date.

The 27-year-old was signed from Brightlingsea Regent in the summer of 2023, and brought plenty of experience with him, having made over 350 appearances at step 3 and 4.

Allen’s sole goal so far this season came in crucial fashion, when he opened the scoring in the fourth minute as his side picked up all three points on the road at Warrington Town.

The versatile playmaker has also picked up two assists, so is one of the key men that the Seals will have to combat during Saturday’s clash.

League Form Guide

Needham Market | W3 D3 L10 | F12 A30 | Pos: 23rd

Last three

Buxton (A) | L 7-1 | Scorers: Nico Valentine

Spennymoor Town (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Seth Chambers

Rushall Olympic (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Adam Mills

Chester FC | W6 D4 L5 | F17 A16 | Pos: 12th

Last three

Curzon Ashton (A) | L 4-0 | Scorers: N/A

Hereford (H) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Charlie Caton x2, Tom Peers

Darlington (A) | L 1-0 | Scorers: N/A

Match Preview by Tom Bird.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at Bloomfields on Saturday.

The address for the ground is Quinton Road, Suffolk, IP6 8DA.

There is no segregation in place for this fixture.

Tickets can be purchased in advance however cash and card will also be accepted upon arrival at the turnstile