Match Preview: Chester FC v Scarborough Athletic

Chester FC are back at the Deva Stadium on Saturday for a tough test against in-form Scarborough Athletic, who sit second in the Enterprise National League North after the opening seven fixtures.

An entertaining contest at Mill Farm in midweek earned the Seals a point as a brace from Pat Jones cancelled out home goals from Danny Ormerod and Taelor O’Kane.

Our most recent meeting with the Seadogs down CH1 sticks in the memory, following Kurt Willoughby’s stunning stoppage time winner to claim all three points in August 2024.

The Opposition:

Jonathan Greening’s side have started their 24/25 campaign in exceptional form and have propelled themselves towards to the top of the division.

Scarborough are on a six-match unbeaten streak following their opening day defeat at Aggborough, and have a 100% record from their last four fixtures.

It was an early barrage from the Seadogs that did the trick in midweek against Buxton, as two goals inside the first three minutes from Luca Colville and Jake Hull were enough to earn all three points.

Athletic’s temporary home at Bridlington Town has become a fortress in the early stages of 25/26, with four wins from four, including an impressive success over high-flyers AFC Fylde on the North Yorkshire coast.

The Gaffer:

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Jonathan Greening has been at the helm in North Yorkshire for over four years, since his appointment in May 2021.

The 46-year-old was born in Scarborough, and led the club the to play-off success in the NPL Premier Division during his first campaign, after a 2-1 victory over Warrington Town secured promotion.

The boss’ opening season in the National League North was another successful one, when he guided the Seadogs to within goal difference of the play-offs, ending the campaign just two goals behind seventh-placed Gloucester City.

Alongside his stretch at the Red Devils, Greening also had notable stints as a player with West Bromwich Albion, Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest.

One To Watch:

24-year-old striker Stephen Walker has made a sensational start to life as a Seadog with six goals in his first seven appearances.

A lengthy association with Middlesbrough ended in 2023 after loan stints at MK Dons, Crewe Alexandra, and Tranmere Rovers.

Positive spells with West Auckland and Whitby Town followed his release from the Riverside Stadium before a move to Scarborough this summer.

Walker netted in five games on the bounce between Matchday Two and Matchday Six, a run that included a brace against Southport last Saturday.

League Form Guide:

Chester FC | W2 D2 L3 | F9 A15 | Pos: 17th

Last three

Oxford City (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Scott Burgess, Nathan Woodthorpe

Worksop Town (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Connell Rawlinson

AFC Fylde (A) | D 2-2 | Scorers: P. Jones x2

Scarborough Athletic | W5 D1 L1 | F14 A7 | Pos: 2nd

Last three

Merthyr Town (A) | W 3-1 | Scorers: Stephen Walker, Alex Wiles, Rio Allan

Southport (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Stephen Walker x2

Buxton (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Luca Colville, Jake Hull

MATCH DETAILS:

Saturday’s game will kick off at 15:00 at the Deva Stadium.