MATCH PREVIEW - CHESTER FC v DARLINGTON

The curtain comes down on the 2023/24 season on Saturday as the Seals host Darlington at the Leap76 Stadium hoping to end the campaign on a high.

After an impressive win on the road at Gloucester City, Calum McIntyre’s men were defeated by Brackley Town in Northamptonshire last Saturday, a result which put an end to our play-off hopes.

Darlington have avoided relegation following a huge fight against the drop all season, with former Blues boss Steve Watson picking up vital points since his arrival in late December.

THE OPPOSITION:

After spending 39 out of 46 games inside the relegation zone, the Quakers have been in fine form recently which has pulled them away from the bottom four, with three wins in their last three games sealing safety.

The latter of those three was the most crucial, as Steve Watson’s men beat fellow strugglers Farsley Celtic thanks to second half goals courtesy of Jake Lawlor, Aidan Rutledge and Cedric Main. 

Victory meant Darlington avoided a nervy final day, while Farsley now face a battle with Blyth and Rushall over the last relegation place.

It has been a disappointing campaign overall though after the club narrowly missed out on the play-offs last term by just a single point.

THE GAFFER:

As previously mentioned, former Seals boss Steve Watson has been in the dugout at Blackwell Meadows since December.

It is Watson’s first managerial stint since leaving CH1 in the summer of 2022 after a 16th-placed finish in the National League North.

At the time of Watson’s appointment the club were sat in 23rd, but he has succeeded in his task of pulling the club up the table, having had a 57% win ratio during his 21 game tenure.

The gaffer had an impressive playing career, featuring over 200 times for Newcastle United between 1990 and 1998, before going on to play for Aston Villa, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday.

ONE TO WATCH:

Attacking midfielder Matty Cornish has impressed since joining from NPL side Marske United in January, scoring six times in 18 appearances.

The 26 year-old has netted in crucial wins over Southport, Blyth Spartans and Scunthorpe United in recent months, combining well with fellow attacking players, Cedric Main and Cameron Salkeld.

Before joining Marske, Cornish spent time in the USA, featuring for Michigan Stars and Asheville City.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE:

Chester FC | W18 D14 L13 | F58 A37 | Pos: 11th

Last three

Alfreton Town (H) | L 0-2 | Scorers: None

Gloucester City (A) W 1-6 | Scorers: Burke x2, Peers, Glendon, Thomas, Tollitt

Brackley Town (A) | L 3-1 | Scorers: Tollitt

Darlington FC | W16 D7 L22 | F52 A72 | Pos: 18th

Last three

Warrington Town (A) | W 1-3 | Scorers: Aidan Rutledge, Cameron Salkeld x2

Southport (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Cedric Main, Matthew Cornish

Farsley Celtic (H) | W 3-1 | Scorers: Jake Lawlor, Aidan Rutledge, Cedric Main

Match Preview by Tom Bird.

MATCH DETAILS:

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

TICKETS:

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

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.

Card/contactless payments are also available at the turnstiles for all open 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.