Blues Match Preview: Warrington Town v Chester FC

The Seals travel to Warrington Town this weekend, in what is the first of three consecutive away matches.

Calum McIntyre’s outfit prevailed during the week as they dispatched of Oxford City in a comfortable 3-1 victory.

The goals came courtesy of a Tom Peers hat trick, with the striker being the first Chester player to net a three-goal haul in a match in over five years.

The significance of that result is huge, as it means that the Blues have won four of their last five league matches and only find themselves four points off league leaders Chorley, with a game in hand.

THE OPPOSITION

Recently, Warrington have endured a barren run of form as they haven’t triumphed in any of their last six matches.

That spell includes only scoring once in their last five games with the Yellows offence struggling to find the back of the net.

Warrington are hovering over the dreaded relegation spots by a mere two points and they will be attempting to avoid demotion into the Northern Premier League, the league they were promoted from in the 2022/23 campaign.

They earned promotion into the National League North through the playoffs after finishing second in the league and narrowly beating Bamber Bridge in the final through a 90th minute winner from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.

THE GAFFER

Former Chester City footballer Paul Carden started his second spell in the dugout at Cantilever Park back in September.

The 45-year-old managed the Chesire-based club between 2016 and 2021 and in his five years in charge he was desperately unlucky not to guide them to promotion into the National League North.

In the 2017/18 season they finished third, before losing in the playoff final to Grantham Town and the following campaign saw them win the playoff final which typically would earn them promotion.

However, due to the introduction of the newly-formed Southern League Premier Central Division, Warrington had to play a “super playoff” against King’s Lynn Town, which they lost 3-2.

His biggest achievement in management was steering Southport clear of relegation from the Conference Premier back in 2015. Carden has also managed Telford and Nantwich Town in recent years.

A midfielder in his playing days, Carden made over a century of appearances for the Seals and also appeared for Cambridge United and Peterborough United.

He was even the recepient of Chester City’s Player of the Season award for the 2004/05 and was a part of the Conference Premier winning-squad the previous season.

ONE TO WATCH

Jak McCourt is poised for his home debut this weekend after coming in on loan from Ashton United last week.

The 29-year-old is a valuable addition to the Warrington squad due to his EFL experience with the likes of Northampton Town, Chesterfield and Swindon Town.

The midfielder played in this division last campaign, making 19 appearances for Buxton and scoring on two occasions.

LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Warrington Town | W4 D8 L7 | F18 A24 | Pos: 18th 

Last Three

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

Rushall Olympic (A) | D 1-1 | Scorers: Connor Woods

Scarborough Athletic (A) | D 0-0 | Scorers: N/A

Chester FC | W9 D4 L5 | F23 A18 | Pos: 7th

Last Three

Needham Market (A) | W 1-0 | Scorers: Harrison Burke

Chorley (H) | W 2-1 | Scorers: Tom Peers, Harrison Burke

Oxford City (H) | W 3-1 | Scorers: Tom Peers x3

Match Preview by Jude Deedigan.

MATCH DETAILS

Kick off is 3pm at Cantilever Park on Saturday.

The address for the ground is Common Lane, Warrington, Cheshire, WA4 2RS.

The game is segregated. We have been allocated 900 tickets for away supporters.