Blues Match Preview: Darlington v Chester FC

Calum McIntyre and his players are back on the road in midweek as they travel to the North East to visit Darlington.

The Seals started the month in style as they emphatically overcame a usually dynamic Hereford in a resounding 3-0 victory.

Charlie Caton’s brace took his tally for the campaign to nine goals which saw him rise into second in the National League North top goalscoring charts whilst Tom Peers capped off an all-encompassing display by netting his third goal this term.

Burnley loanee Will Hugill impressed on his debut and he swiftly introduced himself with a terrific assist for Caton’s first goal inside the opening minute of his Chester career.

THE OPPOSTION

Darlington come into this fixture off the back of a 2-0 triumph away at Farsley Celtic on the weekend, where they kept their seventh clean sheet of the season.

In the National League North, that statistic can only be bettered by league leaders Scunthorpe United, who have kept ten shutouts.

Earlier on this term, they went on an impenetrable run of keeping six consecutive clean sheets meaning their goal had not been breached in over 600 minutes of football.

Furthermore, the Quakers have not tasted defeat at home since the opening day of the season against Kidderminster Harriers, so the Seals will need to be prepared for battle if they are to take some points back home with them to CH1.

THE GAFFER

There is a familiar face in charge of Tuesday night’s opposition, as former Chester manager Steve Watson is at the helm at Blackwell Meadows.

Watson spent the final four months of the 2021-22 campaign at the Deva Stadium following spells managing Gateshead and York City.

After spending 18 months away from management, the Englishman took the reins at Darlington and guided the team away from the threat of relegation with a ten point haul from their final four games to see them survive the drop by six points.

That accomplishment was recognised as he was the recipient of the National League North Manager of the Month for April 2024 and was rewarded with a two-year deal at the club.

In his playing days, the 50-year-old represented the likes of Aston Villa, Everton and Newcastle United and he made over 200 appearances for the Magpies and just over a century for the Toffees.

ONE TO WATCH

Ali Al-Shabeeb has caught the attention in recent weeks with the midfielder being named the Player of the Match in Darlington’s last two matches.

Since signing for the club a month ago, the diminutive playmaker has made a positive impact in County Durham, including scoring his first goal for the Quakers in their 2-0 win over Farsley Celtic on the weekend.

Darlington acquired the 24-year-old from Al-Qaisumah FC, who compete in the second tier of Saudi Arabian football.

Prior to moving to his native country, Al-Shabeeb had stints with Consett AFC and Hebburn Town.

He scored for Consett in the 2020 FA Vase final against Hebburn at Wembley Stadium but his strike could not stop his side from losing in the capital.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Darlington | W4 D6 L4 | F14 A14 GD: 0 | Pos: 16th

Last Three

Chorley (A) | L 3-0 | Scorers: N/A

Warrington Town (H) | D 2-2 | Scorers: Andrew Nelson & Murphy Bennett (O.G)

Farsley Celtic (A) | W 2-0 | Scorers: Ali Al-Shabeeb & Elliot Forbes

Chester FC | W6 D4 L4 | F17 A15 GD: +2 | Pos: 11th

Last Three

Buxton (H) | L 1-0 | Scorers: N/A

Curzon Ashton (A) | L 4-0 | Scorers: N/A

Hereford (H) | W 3-0 | Scorers: Charlie Caton x2 & Tom Peers

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 7.45pm at Blackwell Meadows on Tuesday evening.

The address for the ground is Grange Road, Darlington DL1 5NR.

There is no segregation in place for this fixture.