Blues Match Preview: Stalybridge Celtic v Chester FC

Chester FC's FA Cup journey starts this weekend, with a test against NPL Division One West outfit Stalybridge Celtic.

Their most recent competitive meeting with the Celts ended in silverware for the Seals after a 2-1 Cheshire Senior Cup final victory in April 2013.

Two further battles occurred earlier in the 2012/13 campaign as Neil Young’s side marched to the Conference North title.

An aggregate score of 10-3 in the Blues’ favour against Stalybridge during that season came following a 6-2 success in Greater Manchester and a 4-1 win down CH1.

The Opposition

Saturday’s opponents have started their NPL Division One West campaign in positive fashion, with a pair of wins, one draw and one defeat so far this term.

The club’s solitary league loss came at the hands of Witton Albion at Bower Fold in late August.

The Celts’ FA Cup run did begin with a positive result against the Shakers though, as a 2-0 replay victory earned progression into the First Qualifying Round.

This round saw a successful trip to Cumbria for the Greater Manchester-based outfit, who defeated Workington at Borough Park, despite the hosts’ NPL Premier Division status.

The Gaffer

Former Republic of Ireland international John Macken has been at the helm at Bower Fold since October 2024.

The 48-year-old brought experience as a manager to the club, with previous jobs including a three-year spell at Radcliffe and a two-year stint at Witton Albion, with one year at Colne sandwiched in between.

The striker enjoyed a long professional playing career in the EFL and retired with a fantastic record of 229 appearances in the second tier and 191 in the third.

Macken’s most successful spell came at Preston North End, for whom he featured on over 200 occasions, scoring 72 goals.

Other lengthy stints came with Barnsley, Walsall and Manchester City.

One To Watch

23-year-old forward Benni Smales-Braithwaite returned to English football in January 2025 and has proved a danger to defences so far this term.

The striker netted in the previous FA Cup win over Workington, alongside the solitary goal in a 1-0 victory over Atherton Collieries in mid-August.

After a youth career that included spells at Manchester City and Southampton, Smales-Braithwate was signed up by Barrow, before a number of loan stints at Warrington Rylands, Curzon Ashton and Guiseley.

In 2023 he made a major shift by putting pen-to-paper with Danish outfit Vendsyssel FF, before further loans to 07 Vestur, a club based in the Faroe Islands, and Skive IK, who play in the Danish second tier.

The forward moved back to England earlier this year and signed up with manager John Macken at Bower Fold.

Match Details

Kick off at Bower Fold on Saturday is 15:00.

The postcode for the ground is SK15 2RT.