Chester FC vs AFC Fylde

Saturday 16th December, 2017, k/o 3pm

Swansway Chester Stadium

The Buildbase FA Trophy First Round

Attention switches from the FA Cup to the FA Trophy this weekend as the Coasters make their second trip of the season to Chester.

The Coasters enjoyed their best-ever run in the FA Cup prior to Tuesday’s heartbreaking exit at the DW Stadium. Goals from Simon Grand and Danny Rowe put the Coasters in the driving seat after Ivan Toney had opened the scoring.

However, Northern Ireland international Will Grigg single-handedly turned the tie on its head with two late goals to earn the Latics a place in the third round.

Fylde suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at Boreham Wood last time out in the National League, whilst Chester claimed a valuable single-goal victory over 10-man Solihull. 

Chester endured a tough start to the season and have languished in the drop zone for much of the campaign. They are currently fourth bottom, three points adrift of Leyton Orient who linger just above the relegation places.

Last season, Fylde suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat as they crashed out of the FA Trophy at the hands of Brackley Town in the first round.

The Coasters found themselves two goals down inside the opening eleven minutes of the first round replay after goals from Glenn Walker and James Armson, before further strikes from Matt Lowe and David Moyo condemned Dave Challinor’s side to just their third defeat of the season.

Chester won through the first round last season, beating Witton Albion, before losing out to Forest Green Rovers at the next stage.

The Coasters have already visited the Swansway Chester Stadium this year, Jack Muldoon earning the visitors a point in a 1-1 draw back in August.

Saturday’s tie must be decided on the day, meaning extra time will follow if the scores are level after 90 minutes. If there is still no winner after 120 minutes then the tie will be decided by kicks from the penalty mark. 

Team news:
Full-back Luke Burke and forward Andy Mangan – ineligible for the Wigan clash – return to the squad whilst defender George Edmundson is back after a one-match suspension. 

Fixtures:
Solihull Moors v Tranmere Rovers
Blyth Spartans v AFC Telford United
Kidderminster Harriers v York City
Chorley v Marine
FC Halifax Town v Macclesfield Town
Spennymoor Town v Gainsborough Trinity
Chester v AFC Fylde
Wrexham v Harrogate Town
Leamington v Stourbridge 
Lancaster City v Stockport County
Warrington Town v Altrincham
Gateshead v Guiseley
Nuneaton Town v Barrow 
Workington v Hartlepool United
Haringey Borough v Leyton Orient
Dover Athletic v Eastbourne Borough 
Wealdstone v Wingate & Finchley
Billericay Town v Havent & Waterlooville
Chesham United v Weston Super Mare
Sutton United v Truro City
Woking v Maidenhead United
Whitehawk v St Albans City
East Thurrock United v Aldershot Town
Hendon v Bath City
Ebbsfleet United v Eastleigh
Torquay United v Maidstone United
Hartley Wintney v Bromley 
Braintree Town v Brackley Town
Taunton Town v Bognor Regis Town
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Heybridge Swifts
Dartford v Boreham Wood 

Admission:
Seated
Adults – £10
Concessions – £8
12-17 years old – £2
Under 12’s (With paying adult) – FREE

Standing
Adults – £8
Concessions – £5
12-17 years old – £2
Under 12’s (With paying adult) – FREE

Address:
Swansway Chester Stadium, Bumpers Lane, Chester, CH1 4LT