Match Preview: Worksop Town v Chester FC

Chester FC travel to Nottinghamshire on Saturday for a tough test against newly-promoted Worksop Town.

Calum McIntyre’s side will aim to build on a positive result over Oxford City on Monday afternoon, as goals from Scott Burgess and Nathan Woodthorpe kept all three points in Cheshire.

Both sides have identical records after five fixtures, with two wins, one draw and two defeats.

The Opposition

The Tigers earned their place in the sixth tier via a successful NPL Premier Division play-off campaign last term, after a 2-1 win over Ashton United in the semi-final before a victory over Guiseley in the final by the same scoreline, courtesy of a brace from Jordan Burrow.

After a tough start Worksop have adapted well to NLN football and will be buoyed for Saturday’s clash after back-to-back victories.

The first of those was a 2-0 win over Southport at home before a dramatic 1-0 success over Peterborough Sports at PIMS Park.

The victory over the Turbines came after a 92nd minute winner from Aaron Martin earned all three points, and condemned the hosts to a fourth defeat from their first five games.

The Gaffer

Craig Parry at been at the helm at Sandy Lane for over five years and has guided the club through a period of growth and success.

In his second full season, 2022/23, Parry oversaw a fantastic campaign as the club lifted the NPL Division One East title, with an astounding record of 99 points from 38 games.

A solid first season followed in the NPL Premier Division before a well-deserved play-off winning campaign in 2024/25, after a second-placed finish behind runaway leaders Macclesfield.

The 41-year-old has also guided the club to three Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup victories in just five years.

One To Watch

Experienced central defender Luke Waterfall has brought leadership and nouse to a club who haven’t featured at this level since 2007.

Waterfall had enjoyed a distinguished career that has focused on the fourth and fifth tier, with 191 appearances in the National League and 159 in League Two, alongside 44 in England’s third tier.

The 35-year-old has started in every game so far in 25/26, and even popped up with a crucial goal that earned a point against Kidderminster Harriers.

Waterfall does have a habit of scoring from defence, with an outstanding figure of 48 goals throughout his career.

League Form Guide

Worksop Town | W2 D1 L2 | F6 A6 | Pos: 11th

Last three

Radcliffe (A) | L 2-1 | Scorers: Liam Hughes

Southport (H) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Lewis Witham, Aaron Martin

Peterborough Sports (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Aaron Martin.

Chester FC | W2 D1 L2 | F6 A11| Pos: 12th

Last three

Curzon Ashton (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Connor Woods

South Shields (A) | L 4-0 | Scorers: None

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

Match Details

Kick-off at Sandy Lane will be at 15:00.

The postcode for the ground is S80 1UJ.

The fixture will be segregated. Admission for Chester FC supporters will be ticket only, with online purchases available. We have been advised that all tickets will be scanned, checked and verified by automatic gates, and that it is safer to print out your ticket as mobile phones can be unreliable.

Separate seating will be available for Chester FC supporters, as well as a designated away bar and toilets.