Match Preview - Darlington v Chester FC

The Blues travel to the North East this weekend looking to build on last Saturday’s excellent victory.

A dominant 5-0 success over play-off hopefuls Southport at the Deva was a much-needed tonic after six games without a win. It saw Steve Watson’s men climb above this weekend’s opponents Darlington in the table to 15th position.

Darlington will be desperate to end a winless run of their own this Saturday. Alun Armstrong’s side have lost four straight games in the league without scoring a goal, but showed their threat in the match prior to this run – a 6-0 away win at Farsley Celtic.

Chester will be hoping to keep up their unbeaten record against Darlo this season in a fourth meeting of the sides. The FA Cup tie in September saw a 0-0 draw at Blackwell Meadows before James Hardy netted late on in a 1-0 replay win the Tuesday following. Then in league action in November the Seals staged a dramatic late fightback – with Kevin Roberts and Josh Askew on the scoresheet in a 2-2 draw.

Watson and his side will be well aware that this weekend is another opportunity to make it back-to-back victories for the first time this campaign, and it is also a chance to keep building February momentum as the season reaches its crunch.

Kick off on Saturday afternoon is 3pm.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Darlington | 16th in NLN. W:7 D:6 L:12. F:38 A:39

Last four results…

vs Kidderminster Harriers (h) | Lost 0-1 | Scorers: None

vs AFC Telford (a) | Lost 0-5 | Scorers: None

vs Kettering Town (h) | Lost 0-1 | Scorers: None

vs Guiseley (a) | Lost 0-1 | Scorers: None

Chester | 15th in NLN. W:7 D:7 L:11. F:43 A:45

Last four results…

vs Curzon Ashton (a) | Lost 3-4 | Scorers: Okera Simmonds, George Waring, Kevin Roberts

vs Boston United (a) | Lost 0-4 | Scorers: None

vs Brackley Town (h) | Drew 1-1 | Scorer: Declan Weeks

vs Southport (h) | Won 5-0 | Scorers: Harrison Burke, Marcus Dackers, Darren Stephenson, Declan Weeks, Rob Apter

MATCHDAY INFO

Saturday’s match at Blackwell Meadows is a 3pm kick off and the postcode for the ground is DL1 5NR.

The game at Blackwell Meadows will currently not be segregated and Chester fans will enter via the home turnstiles at the East of the ground. Chester fans will not have access to view the game from the East Stand (main home support stand) and this is clearly signed.

Blackwell Meadows is a no smoking/vaping ground and this will be strictly monitored, with ejection for none compliance.

Although most COVID 19 restrictions will have been lifted, we would still expect visiting fans to take a sensible approach to social distancing. QR codes will still need to be scanned on entry. Sanitising stations will still be available.