Following a disappointing exit from the Emirates FA Cup the Martyrs return to league action as they travel to Chester FC's Deva Stadium. Paul Michael's side will be hoping that they can turn their recent struggles around and take all 3 points back to South Wales after losing 5-0 to Radcliffe and 1-0 to Hampton & Richmond in their last two fixtures. The hosts find themselves just 3 points above the relegation zone in 17th position after the opening 9 games of the season. 'The Seals' have only won 2 league games this season which both came at home against Peterborough Sports on the opening game of the season and Oxford City on bank holiday Monday. In their last outing Chester progressed to the 4th qualifying round following an astonishing 5-1 victory against fellow National League North side Curzon Ashton. The result earned 'The Seals' an away tie against National League side Morecambe with the opportunity to further progress into the first-round proper.

The Martyrs will be backed by an army of supporters making the trip from South Wales with close to 300 away tickets already sold, and just a reminder for all Martyrs supporters to purchase their tickets in advance of the game here – https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Tickets/ViewAllocation?fixtureId=13447&allocationGuid=30bfc40d-5eb7-40df-ae5a-947901940468

FOR ANY FANS TRAVELLING – PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET YOUR MATCHDAY TICKETS IN ADVANCE.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF

Manager | Calum Mcintyre

Assistant Manager | Colin Woodthorpe

Calum Mcintyre has overseen Chester FC’s first team since May 2022 as the clubs seventh permanent manager since the club's reformation in 2010. Mcintyre was Chester's full time Academy Head Coach from 2016 until his appointment as the First Team Manager. He had also performed a variety of roles across the first team coaching staff while being involved in over 140 first team fixtures amongst three different management teams as well as a short spell as Caretaker Manager in April 2018. In June 2020, he took his first step into permanent senior management with Northern Premier Division One side Runcorn Linnets where he guided them to a playoff final in his first season with the 'Linnets'. In Mcintyre's first season at Chester he was named National League North manager of the season as his side went 21 matches unbeaten away from home alongside the best defensive record in the league prior to signing a contract extension with the club until 2026.

Colin Woodthorpe joined Chester as assistant manager in May 2022 to partner manager Calum Mcintyre. Colin boasts a wealth of experience through his playing days which include more than 150 matches for Chester before being sold to Norwich City in 1990. He would feature for Norwich in the English topflight, before playing more first division football in Scotland for Aberdeen. He also went on to make over a century of appearances for each of his last two clubs, Stockport County and Bury before retiring from playing in 2008. Woodthrorpe started his coaching career in 2010 where he was Assistant Manager at Colwyn Bay. Then in 2012 he moved to AFC Fylde with Dave Challinor and together they brought AFC Fylde up to the National League while also claiming the FA Trophy at Wembley in 2019. Colin Woodthorpe then linked up with Calum Mcintyre in 2020 at Runcorn Linnets before they both joined Chester FC in 2020.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASON SO FAR

'The Seals' are yet to receive a home defeat but despite this they have had a relatively disappointing start to the season so far as Calum Mcintyre's side sit just outside the relegation zone with only 10 points. Chester started their season at home against Peterborough Sports where they ran out 3-2 winners following a brace from Mottley-Henry. After the opening day victory, Chester then went 3 games without a win after defeats against Chorley and South Shields alongside a draw at home against Curzon Ashton. On August bank holiday Chester hosted Oxford City, and they claimed all 3 points in a 2-1 victory. In the four league results since, Calum Mcintyre's side has lost to Worksop Town and then drew 3 games in a row against AFC Fylde, Scarborough Athletic and Darlington. In 'The Seals' FA Cup campaign so far, they have defeated Stalybridge Celtic and Curzon Ashton to see themselves one victory away from the first-round proper. Chester's top goal scorers so far this season is Dylan Mottley-Henry and Patrick Jones who both have scored 3 goals in their opening 9 games of the league season.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/2026 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Lewys Benjamin, George Murray-Jones, George Barlow

Defenders |Dion Kelly-Evans, Nathan Woodthorpe, Tom Leak, James Jones, Hayden Carson, Isaac Burgess, Kevin Roberts, Festus Arthur, Connell Rawlinson

Midfielders | Declan Weeks, Jack Bainbridge, Iwan Murray, Dylan Mottley-Henry, Fin Shrimpton, Connor Woods, Scott Burgess

Attackers | Tom Peers, Offrande Zanzala, Pat Jones, Oskar Rosenblatt, Fin Roberts

MATCH DETAILS

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Stadium | The Deva Stadium, Bumpers Lane, CH1 4LT

Kick Off | 15:00