FA Trophy Match Preview: Gainsborough Trinity v Chester FC

Chester FC's Isuzu FA Trophy journey commences this Saturday, as the Seals travel to Gainsborough Trinity in the Second Round.

Calum McIntyre’s side go into this competition off the back of a hard-fought triumph against Needham Market, where a late Harrison Burke header was the difference in Suffolk.

The Blues will be aiming to improve on their performance in the FA Trophy last campaign, when they were knocked out by Nantwich Town on penalties in the same round.

Whilst Saturday’s opponents, Gainsborough, will be looking to advance into the third round having already knocked out Clitheroe and Kettering Town.

Winners at this stage of the competition earn £3,750 in prize money, with the losers pot standing at £1,000. Should the tie end level after 90 minutes, we will go straight to penalties.

THE OPPOSITION

Gainsborough currently lie in 17th position in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, level on points with Matlock Town who occupy one of the dreaded relegation spots.

However, they have played significantly less games compared to other teams in their league due to their involvement in the FA Trophy and FA Cup, where they have progressed to the second round for the first time since the 1950’s.

An eight goal thriller away at Hednesford saw the scores level at 4-4 after extra time, but Russ Wilcox’s team would hold their nerve to win the penalty shootout and proceed into the second round of the prestigious competition.

Standing in their way of a maiden third round appearance is League Two outfit Harrogate Town who welcome Gainsborough to the Exercise Stadium at the end of November.

THE GAFFER

Russ Wilcox has been in the dugout at The Northolme since September 2023 and he is on the cusp of guiding the team to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

In his playing days, the former defender made over a century of appearances for Northampton Town, Hull City and Scunthorpe United before retiring at the latter in 2003.

He would become the assistant manager at the Iron under Brian Laws before following him to Sheffield Wednesday and Burnley.

Wilcox would then be awarded with the opportunity to succeed Laws as Scunthorpe’s manager, with his time at Glanford Park preceding spells with York City and Farsley Celtic.

The 60-year-old earned two caps for the England C team in 1986, playing matches against the Republic of Ireland and Wales and even scoring for the Three Lions.

ONE TO WATCH

Declan Howe is a player in form for The Holy Blues having bagged three in his last two appearances taking his tally to 15 for the season in all competitions.

Not only is Howe the top goalscorer for Gainsborough but he is also leading the scoring rankings  in this season’s edition of the FA Cup with eight goals in six games.

The 26-year-old has been the man for the big occasions, as he netted a brace in Gainsborough’s 4-0 drubbing of National League side Boston United in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round and in the first round against Hednesford.

Trinity’s master marksman joined the club in September 2023 from Ilkeston Town and ended up winning the NPL Golden Boot award for the 2023/24 campaign.

Prior to his spell with the Robins, he also appeared for Alfreton Town, Cleethorpes and Darlington.

Howe used to coach football in California but the magic of Non-League football proved too much to resist.

FORM GUIDE

Gainsborough Trinity | W5 D2 L6 | F17 A17 | Pos: 17th (Northern Premier League Premier Division)

Last Three

FA Cup: Hednesford (A) | D 4-4 (W 5-4 on Pens) | Scorers: Declan Howe x2, Will Lancaster, Javelle Clarke

Whitby (A) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Fraser Preston, Declan Howe

Workington (H) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Dylan Cogill, Jordan Helliwell, Fraser Preston

Chester FC | W7 D4 L5 | F18 A16 | Pos: 10th

Last Three

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

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

Needham Market (A) | W 1-0 | Scorer: Harrison Burke

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at the Kal Group Stadium on Saturday.

The postcode for the ground is DN21 2QW.

Segregation is in place for this fixture, with tickets now available online.