Match Preview: Chester v South Shields

South Shields face another playoff rival as the Mariners make the trip to Chester.

Shields return to the road after a 2-0 win away to Buxton over the weekend.

The game was arguably dominated by the Mariners as Paul Blackett scored in both halves of the match.

This takes his total up to 24 goals for the season with seven league fixtures remaining.

Shields have turned a bad run of form around recently, having won their last two

games.

Before this ‘run’ Shields had won just one of their last five league fixtures including a

4-0 loss to fellow North East outfit Darlington.

Chester are in a bad run of form themselves, and they currently run the risk of falling out

of a playoff position.

They have failed to win any of their last five and their last win came on the 17th of February.

Although they are currently in sixth place, they are just 3 points in front of Shields who have a game in hand on them, on top of this the top of the table is very tight with only four points separating 12th and seventh place.

In the previous meeting between the two sides, Shields fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to

Chester as Liam Edwards slotted home for the visitors in the 39th minute.

This fixture took place back in November whilst Julio Arca was still in charge.

The main dangerman for the hosts in terms of goal threat is midfielder George Glendon who currently has a total of 11 goals this season.

Glendon is a product of the Manchester City Academy and has both England u16 and u17 appearances all of which came in 2011.

He has played in both League One and League Two as well.

Elliott's Thoughts

Elliott Dickman will be adamant that his team can earn a result away at Chester.

Shields have won two on the bounce thanks to their hard work and determination to create an opening in their recent fixtures.

“It’s the same as any other game really, obviously we know how important the rest of the

matches are this season but we aren’t going to change our mindset.”.

In the past Dickman has been quick to praise leading scorer Paul Blackett stating that “he’s a natural goal scorer” amongst other phrases.

It was no different after Saturday’s triumph over Buxton as he went on to say: “He’s vital to our threat in front of goal and he’s a core member of the team so its good to see him back on the scoresheet again.”

Team News

Jordan Hunter is still unavailable due to injury.

Information for supporters

The game will be played on the 23rd of March 2024 at the Leap76 Stadium. Bumpers Ln,

Sealand Industrial Estate, Chester (CH1 4LT)

Information regarding tickets can be viewed here.