Blues Match Preview: Chester FC v Rushall Olympic

Chester FC welcome Rushall Olympic to the Deva Stadium this weekend as they look to return to winning ways.

During midweek, Calum McIntyre and his players had to settle for a draw against fellow promotion challengers Kidderminster Harriers.

Academy product Harrison Burke entered double figures for the season with a bullet header before Ashley Hemmings equalised.

Burke’s 10th of the campaign means he is now the highest scoring centre back in England’s top six divisions. A fantastic feat from one of our own.

Tuesday’s point means the Blues remain top of the National League North with only 14 games left to play.

In the reverse fixture back in September, we claimed a 2-1 win over Rushall at Dales Lane.

The 10-man hosts opened the scoring, but an own goal from Nathan Cameron and a scrappy finish from Charlie Caton ensured we travelled back to CH1 with the full complement of points.

THE OPPOSITION

Tomorrow’s opponents are in the midst of a relegation battle and are currently sitting in 23rd position.

Richard Sneekes’ side crucially lost 3-1 on Tuesday night away to relegation rivals Marine. It was a chaotic ending on Merseyside with all four goals occurring in the final 14 minutes of the contest.

The Pics have the worst defence in the National League North as they have conceded 67 times in 32 matches.

The extremity of that statistic is partly down to the fact they have lost 7-0 on two occasions this campaign – away to Spennymoor Town and South Shields.

Furthermore, the West Midlands-based club have the worst away record in the division in terms of points per game. They’ve only collected 10 points from 16 away trips (Leamington have picked up a point fewer but have two games in hand).

Rushall scarcely survived demotion last campaign as they finished only four points outside of the drop zone.

THE GAFFER

Richard Sneekes was reappointed back in December after initially managing Rushall between 2014 and 2016.

The Dutchman is most notably known for his playing days in English football having represented West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers.

The 56-year-old came through the ranks at Ajax and made three senior appearances for his boyhood club before joining Volendam and Fortuna Sittard.

After retiring at Dudley Town, the former midfielder became an academy coach at Tamworth. A spell at Hereford Untied preceded his first managerial stint at Rushall Olympic.

During his time at the club, he consolidated their status as an Evo-Stik NPL Premier (seventh tier) club while also winning the Staffordshire Senior Cup.

Sneekes departed Dales Lane in 2016 and spent time with Sutton Coldfield Town and Halesowen Town before reuniting with the Pics as first team coach last year.

He took the reins on an interim basis after Adam Stevens was relieved of his duties and a permanent appointment swiftly followed.

ONE TO WATCH

Birmingham City loanee Ben Wodskou has impressed since arriving at Dales Lane last month.

The striker has recorded four goal contributions in as many appearances with two goals and two assists to his name.

The Englishman netted the winner in a 2-1 victory over Leamington a few weeks ago.

The teenager doesn’t celebrate his 19th birthday until late October and is a highly-rated prospect at League One leaders Birmingham.

On Wednesday evening it was announced that Wodskou’s loan at Rushall had been extended until the end of the season.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Chester FC | W17 D8 L7 | F49 A32 | Pos: 1st

Last Three

Peterborough Sports (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Fin Roberts

South Shields (A) |  L 2-0 | Scorers: None

Kidderminster Harriers (H) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Harrison Burke

Rushall Olympic | W7 D5 L20 | F31 A67 | Pos: 23rd

Last Three

Curzon Ashton (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Aaron Forde

Buxton (H) | L 5-1 | Scorers: Milan Lalkovic

Marine (A) | L 3-1 | Scorers: Kian Ryley

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3:00pm at The Deva Stadium on Saturday.