FA Cup Match Preview: Chester FC v Hebburn Town

Chester FC's 2024/25 FA Cup journey commences this weekend, as they welcome seventh-tier outfit Hebburn Town to the Deva Stadium.

The prize for the victor will be a place in the third qualifying round of the prestigious competition and Calum McIntyre and his players will be hoping to emulate or even improve on their domestic success from last season.

The Seals were desperately close to reaching the second round proper as they were narrowly defeated by National League side York City in a replay.

The original tie resulted in a 0-0 stalemate at the Deva stadium, with the Blues frustrating their fifth tier opponents by rendering them to very little clear-cut chances.

The replay at the York Community stadium saw the Minstermen race into a two goal lead through a Lennell John-Lewis brace, but our captain George Glendon halved the deficit with a ruthless finish after being skilfully played through by an incisive Harrison Burke pass with the outside of his foot.

Despite the equaliser proving to be elusive, subsequently resulting in exit from the competition, the players made the fans and club immensely proud.

THE OPPOSITION

Hebburn Town currently sit in third place in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, only three points behind Robbie Savage’s Macclesfield who occupy top spot.

The Hornets earned promotion into the seventh tier last campaign by being crowned Champions of the Northern Premier League Division One East.

The team hailing from Tyne and Wear have enjoyed a successful spell over the last five years, as they also lifted the 2019/20 edition of the FA Vase, but bizarrely played the final in May 2021 due to the pandemic.

Olly Martin’s dramatic winner was the decisive goal in their 3-2 win over their North East counterparts Consett at Wembley.

THE GAFFER

Daniel Moore has been in the dugout at the Hebburn Sports and Social ground since the beginning of the 2022/23 season.

As a player, Moore’s biggest achievement was captaining Spennymoor Town to the FA Vase final. The Moors lifted the trophy at Wembley, but Moore was unfortunately injured for the final at the hallowed turf.

The former defender then made almost 500 appearances for Shildon FC and was named player manager in 2017. He guided the Shells to promotion alongside his current employers in 2020/21.

ONE TO WATCH

Paul Van Zandliet had a dream debut as he received the Player of the Match accolade for his performance against Bamber Bridge.

The industrious midfielder signed last week from Ashington and he scored his new club’s second goal in their 5-1 rout against Brig.

Prior to his spell at Woodhorn Lane, the 23-year-old spent five years at North Shields where he made almost a century of appearances for the Robins.

FORM GUIDE

Chester FC | W4 D2 L2 | F12 A9 | Pos: 4th

Last Three

Peterborough Sports (H) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Charlie Caton, Harrison Burke, Tom Peers

Kidderminster Harriers (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Charlie Caton

South Shields (H) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Tom Peers

Hebburn Town | W5 D2 L1 | F13 A5 GD: +8 | Pos: 3rd  (Northern Premier Division)

Last Three

Workington (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Bailey Adamson

Bamber Bridge (H) | W 5-1 | Scorers: Amar Purewal x2, Jack Donaghy, Paul Van Zandvliet, Olly Martin

Morpeth Town (A) | D 0-0 | Scorers: N/A

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday.