This Evening's North Eliminator Preview: Chester v Buxton

Chester take on Buxton, with the winner set to face off against Kidderminster Harriers this Sunday

Both sides think they’re ready to step up but who will be stepping into the semi-finals? George Busby takes a look...

Stories so far:

Chester spent a large portion of the season at the top of the pack, and eventually finished five points off the title.

Buxton have also been in and around the promotion places but needed a final day triumph which saw them sneak into a play-off spot.

They finished on 77 points, level with Curzon Ashton who finished just a place behind them, however Buxton’s superior goal difference was crucial in the end.

They go in on a high and have already proven this season that reputation matters little to them.

The leading goalscorers:

Chester:
Tom Peers: 19
Harrison Burke: 11
Connor Woods: 8
Kurt Willoughby: 6

Buxton:
Luke Brennan: 12
Tom Elliott: 9
Connor Kirby: 9
Cian Coleman: 9

Head-to-head:
22/10/24: Chester 0-1 Buxton
11/01/25: Buxton 2-4 Chester

What the managers say...

Calum McIntyre, Chester: “We're at home and my message to the fans is that we need you, we need to be at our best and we need to win the game, that's the message.

“It'll be tough because they'll have more time to prepare then we do.

“We have to play to win”

John McGrath, Buxton: “The focus is solely on next week, the lads know what they've got to do.

“It's about prep now, it's about turning our attention to Chester and doing all our analysis on them.

“They're a good side but were a good side and i'd hate to play us in the play-offs”