Chesterfield welcome in-form AFC Fylde to the SMH Group Stadium as Paul Cook’s side look to move closer to the title.
The Spireites can move 20 points clear at the top of the table with a win, due to Barnet and Bromley playing in the FA Trophy.
Here’s everything you need to know…
Match Details
Date: Saturday, March 9, 2024
Opponents: AFC Fylde
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Vanarama National League
Location: SMH Group Stadium
Tickets
Tickets are available for the fixture here: https://tickets.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/en-gb/categories/match
Live Radio Commentary
Our in-house radio station, 1866 Sport, will provide exclusive full match commentary on the game, as well as pre and post-match analysis.
Don’t forget that 1866 Sport is on air 24-hours a day, seven days a week!
You can download the app from the Apple Store here:https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/1866-sport/id1580041321
If you’re an Android user, you can download the app here:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.radio.ma57501030
Alternatively, you can listen online here: https://streaming.radio.co/s47db4a4f3/listen
It is also available via Alexa.
Our dedicated matchday show is sponsored by National Windscreens and will see commentator Phil Tooley joined by a special co-commentator.
Social Media
You can follow the action on our X page (https://twitter.com/ChesterfieldFC), where we will provide regular updates.
Key news and moments will also be posted onto our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Pre/post-match interviews and highlights will be posted to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6hnRkCdElagLJlOqlgukPA) throughout the weekend.
The Opposition
Name: AFC Fylde
Nickname: The Coasters
Founded: 1988
Stadium: Mill Farm
Capacity: 6,000
Manager: Chris Beech
Honours:
National League North Champions | 2016/17 & 2022/23
Northern Premier League Division One North Champions | 2011/12
North West Counties League Premier Division Champions | 2008/09
West Lancashire League Premier Division Champions | 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2003/04, 2005/06 & 2006/07
FA Trophy Winners | 2018/19
FA Vase Winners | 2007/08
Northern Premier League Challenge Cup Winners | 2013/14
Norther Premier League President’s Cup Winners 2013/14
Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy Winners | 2010/11, 2012/13 & 2013/14
Northern Inter Counties Cup Winners | 2004/05, 2005/06 & 2006/07
On Chris Beech
Chris Beech had a playing career spanning 11 years, playing at the likes of Blackpool, Hartlepool United, Huddersfield Town and Rochdale. After retiring in 2004, the former midfielder moved into coaching and had his first role in 2011 – a caretaker stint as Rochdale manager. As wells having a two-year spell as Carlisle United manager, Beech moved to AFC Fylde as their Director of Football. The 49-year-old became manager of the Coasters in October 2023 and has impressed since.
One to watch
Along with Jonathan Ustabasi and the emergence of Danny Ormerod, Nick Haughton has continued to be the standout for AFC Fylde. The midfielder has a creative flair in his play and also has an eye for goal. Haughton is Fylde’s top goalscorer this season as the Coasters are now moving away from the drop zone.
This season in numbers:
Appearances – 39
Goals – 14
Yellow Cards – 3
Red Cards – 0
Minutes Played – 2,976
Played for both
Curtis Weston joined the Spireites from Barnet following both clubs falling into the National League, back in 2018. In the four years he spent at Chesterfield, the midfielder made 161 appearances as well as scoring nine goals.
Upon his departure at the end of his contract, Weston joined National League North club AFC Fylde. The veteran player spent just a year on the Fylde coast as he helped the Coasters to promotion to the National league – playing 28 times, He left for Buxton at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
View from the dugout
Danny Webb said: “From what we saw the other night, they’ve got good attacking threats. They’ve got legs, they’ve got energy and pace.
“They’re a good team – don’t let the league position fool anyone. It’s up to us to make games not easy and playing the way that Chesterfield have been playing for the majority of the season.”
