Gaffer Clayton Donaldson says his side can build on last week’s narrow 1-0 defeat at runaway leaders Tamworth – a game many felt we should have got something from.

The Celts welcome in-form Chester, who sit in third and are looking to cement their place in the play-offs.

“It should be a good game,” said Clayton. “They’re on a good run and their form has picked up of late. We know they like to play good football on the ground – but we have got every confidence going into this game. Our own home form has picked up, with back to back wins against Scarborough and Bishop’s Stortford.”

Asked why our home form has picked up after a slow start to the season at The Citadel, Clayton said: “I feel the team has definitely gelled a lot more now, the players are used to the system and their teammates. We are also getting better decisions from referees. I felt we were being penalised unfairly at the start of the season.

“We go into every game confident. Hopefully we can continue with a good result tomorrow.”

The gaffer said although The Celts lost 1-0 at Tamworth last week, it was testament to the team’s progress that players came away feeling disappointed not to have got something from the game.

“We feel we deserved a lot more,” he said. “They are going well and are something like 12 points clear, but their players came away knowing they’d been in a game and we did enough to get some of their fans saying that we made them look average. That gives us a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season, we need to build on it and turn strong performances into results.”

Kick-off time

The match kicks off at 3pm.

Ticket news & supporters’ information

All the important supporter information for the clash – including admission prices, travel and parking – can be found here.

Team news

Rudy Misambo faces a spell ion the sidelines following his red card at Tamworth last Saturday. The injury he sustained making the challenge is ‘not too bad’, according to the gaffer, and it’s hoped he will have recovered by the time his suspension is served.

Forward Dylan Youmbi this week returned to parent club Bradford City, before being loaned out to Scunthorpe United for the rest of the season. Noah Wadsworth has also been recalled due to injuries at his parent club, with the experienced Lewis Turner recalled from his loan spell at Ossett.

Gaffer Clayton Donaldson will evaluate his squad ahead of the game. Jordan Carroll may face a late fitness test after picking up a knock in training. Darren Stephenson is back on the training pitch continuing his rehabilitation from injury.

How are Chester faring?

We last played Chester at The Citadel in the National League North in November 2022 – and it proved to be a game to remember, but for all the wrong reasons.

In a feisty game The Celts ended up losing 2-0 and were reduced to eight men. Kian Scales was sent off for a late studs-up tackle on Joe Lynch which led to a melee on the pitch, before Tom Allan and Isaac Assenso were both given second yellows for dissent – the latter’s coming after the final whistle.

Goals from Kole Hall and Kurt Willoughby were enough to seal the victory for the visitors. Read the match report here. Later last season we player Chester at home in the FA Trophy, winning on penalties.

Food & drink

• The Nest Bar will be open, with all supporters welcome. It will be serving a range of alcoholic and soft drinks. Cash and card will be accepted.
• A cash-only can bar will also be in operation in the ground.
• We have a variety of hot and cold food available from our kitchen, with cash and card payments taken. Pies include pork, steak and and chicken & chorizo. Loaded fries include pulled pork and Korean crispy chicken. Hot drinks, tea and coffee will be available.

Social media

If you can’t make it to the Citadel tomorrow, you can follow our live Twitter feed for match commentary. Goal updates will feature on Instagram and Facebook.