Blues Match Preview: South Shields v Chester

Chester FC return to league action this weekend, after a fortnight away, to make the long journey up north to South Shields as they look to win their third National League North game on the bounce.

It’ll be their final away day for two weeks, as we face Marine and Hednesford Town in back-to-back encounters at the Deva Community Stadium, before we head south to face Brackley Town.  

Phil Parkinson’s side got off to a perfect start in the Cheshire Senior Cup last time out as we defeated Hyde United 2-0 earning our place in the Second Round. 

Opposition 

After an agonising play-off final defeat to Kidderminster Harriers last season, the Mariners picked up where they left off as they began the campaign in fine form, starting with an unbeaten run that lasted eight games in all competitions. 

The club’s impressive start peaked with a standout victory away to recently relegated Morecambe as Cedwyn Scott opened his tally for the season with a late winner that gave his side their third win on the bounce to open the season. 

However, three defeats in their last five encounters have seen them fall behind league leaders Macclesfield, after they were on the receiving end of a dramatic 4-3 comeback to the table toppers at Moss Rose. 

Despite some recent losses on the road, the Blues will need to be wary of the threat Mike Williamson’s side poses on home soil as his team are still unbeaten after five games. 

Their threatening frontline, consisting of Paul Blackett, Cedwyn Scott, and Adam Campbell have contributed to that, combining to score 12 of the team’s 17 home goals this campaign. 

Gaffer 

Mike Williamson became the Mariners’ fourth manager in as many years over the summer, filling a position vacated by Ian Watson, who departed for League Two outfit Rochdale. 

Williamson became a part of the backroom staff in January to assist Watson and Carl Magnay. He was later made Director of Performance and Culture, before he ultimately found himself in the dugout at the Wolf Competitions Stadium. 

Taking charge of a side that reached the play-off final after a 95-point season would be tough to follow, but the former Premier League defender has experience navigating promotion charges in previous jobs. 

Most notably, he guided Gateshead to the National League North title as a player-manager in 2022, earning the NLN Manager of the Season award in his first coaching role. 

Subsequently, he managed in the Football League with MK Dons and Carlisle United before he took on a short coaching stint at Rangers alongside Russell Martin. 

The 42-year-old is best known on the pitch for his six-year spell at Newcastle United, where he established himself as a Premier League regular and featured in a successful UEFA Europa League campaign. 

His experience in climbing the leagues isn’t limited to his time in the dugout, having been a key member of promotion-winning campaigns at Torquay United and Wycombe Wanderers. 

One to watch 

Paul Blackett has loved his home comforts this season, scoring three of his five NLN goals at the Wolf Competitions Stadium. 

The Mariners’ new vice-captain has led the team and the line well, as he’s netted in four of his side’s last five games including crucial goals in victories against Buxton and Marine. 

Over the last three years, the 28-year-old has proven himself to be one of the most clinical strikers in the division. With two Golden Boots, the number nine will be looking to win his third this term, a feat no other player at the level has achieved. 

His breakout season materialized under the leadership of his current manager, as he hit double figures for Williamson during Gateshead’s title-winning 2022 campaign. 

That came after loan spells at Whitby Town and Blyth Spartans. From then he quickly established himself as a top-tier National League North forward, when he scored 12 goals in his only season at Spennymoor Town before earning a move to South Shields in 2023. 

Match Preview by Harry Bennett.

Form guide 

South Shields | W6 D2 L3 | F18 A17 | Pos: 6th 

Last three

• Halifax Town (A) | (L) 3-2 | Scorers: Cedwyn Scott, Toby Onanaye 
• Macclesfield (A) | (L) 4-3 | Scorers: Paul Blackett, Jordan Jones, Cedwyn Scott 
• Gateshead Rutherford (H) | (L) 4-3 | Scorers: Joe Youens x2, Elliot Gill

Chester FC | W6 D2 L3 | F14 A9 | Pos: 5th

Last three

• Hyde United (H) | (W) 2-0 | Scorers: Connor Murphy, Ruben Butt 
• Bedford Town (H) | (W) 1-0 | Scorers: Kofi Moore 
• Spennymoor (A) | (L) 4-1 | Scorers: Billy Waters

MATCH DETAILS

The match at the Wolf Competitions Stadium will kick-off at 15:00.