BLUES MATCH PREVIEW: SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC v CHESTER FC

Chester FC face Scarborough Athletic this weekend at the Leap76 stadium, with both teams looking for a huge three points to aid their promotion hopes.

It is fifth against third, with only two points separating Calum McIntyre’s Chester and Jonathan Greening’s Scarborough Athletic.

McIntyre’s side earned a point on Tuesday night away at Peterborough Sports amidst treacherous conditions, with a late Elliott Whitehouse penalty ensuring the Seals didn’t return home empty handed.

That result saw Chester extend their unbeaten to five games, and as we approach the business end of the season, games like these may define where both teams end up.

THE OPPOSITION:

Scarborough Athletic have enjoyed an impressive campaign, with the Seadogs currently residing in third position in the National League North table.

Their recent form has proved inconsistent, with only one victory in their last four league games. Jonathan Greening’s side’s last match saw a 1-1 stalemate at home against South Shields.

The Yorkshire based club have built on the foundations of last season, as they finished in eighth position, narrowly missing out on a promotion playoff place on goal difference. A 93rd minute winner from Gloucester’s Temitope Obadeyi (now of Hereford) against Chorley on the final day secured Gloucester’s playoff place and broke Scarborough’s hearts in the process.

THE GAFFER:

Jonathan Greening has occupied the dugout at the Flamingo Land stadium since the summer of 2021.

Greening has overseen great success and development in his first management role in football, including getting promoted in his maiden season from the Northern Premier League to the National League North. He also won the North Riding Senior Cup in that first season.

The 45-year-old had a successful playing career, appearing for the likes of Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. He was also an unused substitute in Manchester United’s 1999 Champions League triumph.

In addition to an impressive playing career, the former midfielder won 17 England U21 caps, but never made a senior appearance despite being called up by Sven Goran Eriksson.

ONE TO WATCH:

Alex Purver was the recipient of Scarborough’s Player of the Month for January after a string of impressive performances.

The 28-year-old midfielder only joined the club last summer but has quickly become one of the fan favourites.

A Leeds United academy product, Purver had a spell abroad in Sweden with Ostersunds FK sandwiched in between spells with Guiseley and Darlington.

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Ryan Whitley has kept ten clean sheets this term which is the joint fourth highest across the whole of the Vanarama, with Chester’s Wyll Stanway being in second place with 12.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE:

Chester FC l W14 D9 L9 l F38 A23 l Pos: 5th

Last Three

King’s Lynn Town (A) l D 0-0 l Scorers: None

Banbury United (H) l D 1-1 l Scorer: George Glendon

Peterborough Sports (A) l D 1-1 l Scorer: Elliott Whitehouse (pen)

Scarborough Athletic l W16 D5 L11 l F44 A37 l Pos: 3rd

Last Three

Blyth Spartans (A) l W 1-0 l Scorer: Aidan Rutledge

Banbury United (A) l L 1-0 l Scorers: None

South Shields (H) l D 1-1 l Scorer: Alex Brown

Match preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS:

Kick off is 3pm on Saturday afternoon at the Leap76 Stadium.

TICKETS:

Chester FC can this weekend introduce the return of card/contactless payments at the turnstiles for all available stands.

Supporters can pay with contactless, chip and pin and Apple Pay and Google Pay for The Gary Talbot (East) Stand, Harry McNally (North) Terrace and Swettenham Chemists’ Community (West) Stand. Please note the relevant turnstile further down in this article.

If you wish to pay with cash, you will need to buy your ticket from the Ticket Office before the game, however we advise arriving earlier than normal to reduce queuing times. Cash is not accepted at the turnstiles.

The quickest and easiest way to buy match tickets is via our online ticketing platform at: 

chesterfc.ktckts.com.

Online sales will now be available until kick off and you simply need to present your printed ticket or mobile phone to be scanned at the turnstile.

We still strongly encourage supporters to purchase tickets in advance via the below link, as purchasing in advance prior to matchday also provides a saving on the price.