Chester out to close the gap on National League North leaders
Simon Grand and Akwasi Asante scored in Chester's 2-2 draw at King's Lynn Town. Picture: RICK MATTHEWS
By Daniel Heald @DanHeald81 Sports Reporter
Putting a dent in King's Lynn Town's impressive away record is just one motivating factor for Chester's players, says Anthony Johnson.
The Blues return to action tonight against the National League North title favourites following the postponement of Saturday's clash at Alfreton Town.
Beaten just twice on the road by their league rivals this term, King's Lynn arrive refreshed from a two-week fixture break after successive postponements.
But Chester joint-manager Johnson is relishing his side's opportunity to 'put down a marker' by reducing the nine-point gap on the pace-setting Linnets.
"It's the start of a hugely important run of home games for us, with Brackley and Gateshead to come in quick succession," he said.
"We know how important these next few weeks are and it's a chance for us to get ourselves right back into the title race.
"When teams are travelling halfway across the country for a midweek evening game it can be tough for the away side - as we saw when we went to Gateshead recently.
"King's Lynn's home record is great and you'd expect their away form to be pretty average, but the fact they've only lost two away league games tells you that's not the case.
"It's all about us putting down a marker and finding a way to win the game however we can. Yes, Kings Lynn have games in hand, but points are all that matter at this stage of the season."
Their league position unaffected by a Storm Dennis-hit weekend fixture schedule, Chester remain fourth in the standings and firmly in contention for the play-offs.
The Blues fared well in the reverse fixture, where goals from Simon Grand and Akwasi Asante earned a 2-2 draw in Norfolk.
Prolific Linnets striker Adam Marriott netted a brace in that game and is currently leading the division's goalscoring charts after netting 28 times this season.
Though wary of Marriott's threat in the final third, Johnson insists that Ian Culverhouse's side are far from a one-man team.
"First and foremost they're a very good footballing side," he added.
"People always underestimate how physical they are as well - there are some big six-foot three lads in there. As good as they are in open play they're also really strong at set-pieces and cause a lot of problems from them.
"Then you've got strikers like Marriott, Michael Gash and Dayle Southwell there who have a great pedigree between them and can really hurt teams.
"You look at the management there and they're a quality outfit from top to bottom. I've been really impressed with them this season and we know we need to deliver a big performance against them."
Centre-back Danny Livesey and striker George Waring miss the game through injury while Matty Waters serves a one-match suspension.
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