Signing off

Well, that was fun.

The Blues now know their FA Cup fate and will face Steve Burr’s Southport on Saturday, October 15 in a clash that is sure to be a full-blooded affair.

Thanks for joining our blog today. We’ll be back live for the trip to North Ferriby United tomorrow night.

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Macca speaks on the draw

Here’s our chat with Blues boss McCarthy from earlier this afternoon as he speaks on facing Steve Burr’s Southport in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

“I can’t cloud over it, it won’t be nice.”

Blues boss Jon McCarthy
Blues boss Jon McCarthy (Image: Terry Marland)
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Tasty atmosphere

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Macca on facing Burr

I think we deserved a home draw. We’ve not had a home draw in the FA Cup since I have been here and the moment Steve goes he gets one. That doesn’t seem fair. But genuinely the FA Cup can give the fans a boost and I know how important it is to the fans. It can make a big difference. It won’t be nice on the day and I know how much Steve likes to win. That will be awkward. That is going to be really difficult but we are both really professional and I owe a debt to him as a player and as an assistant so there isn’t any animosity. There are no issues and problems and I’m pleased to see him back in the game but we both want to win and whoever loses will be disappointed. I can’t cloud over it, it won’t be nice.

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Fun fact

First FA Cup meeting between the two sides.

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Eye catching

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And so it was written

It’s Macca v Burr, Mahon v Higgins.

Chester will face former boss Burr’s struggling Southport side on Saturday, October 15 at Haig Avenue. Here’s the full story.

Chester draw Burr’s Southport in the FA Cup.

Steve Burr in the dugout for Southport
Steve Burr in the dugout for Southport (Image: Simon Marshall)
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The fourth qualifying round draw in full

Southport v Chester FC

Alfreton Town v Gateshead

North Ferriby United v Macclesfield Town

FC United of Manchester/Harrogate Town v FC Halifax Town

Stockport County v Bishop Auckland

Barrow AFC v Tranmere Rovers

Halesowen Town/Nantwich Town v Stourbridge

Altrincham v Matlock Town/Workington AFC

Lincoln City v Guiesley AFC

Lincoln United v Spennymoor Town

Stamford AFC v Wrexham

York City v Curzon Ashton

Welling United v Whitehawk

Westfields v Leiston

Sutton United v Forest Green Rovers

Chesham United v Potters Bar Town/Bath City

Dagenham & Redbridge v Wealdstone

Torquay United v Woking

Taunton Town v Gloucester City/Hemel Hempstead Town

Braintree Town v Bromley

Beaconsfield SYCOB v Brackley Town

Tonbridge Angels v Dartford

Faversham Town/Egham Town v St Albans City

Boreham Wood v Hendon

Aldershot Town v Eastbourne Borough/Hadley

Harrow Borough v Margate/Hastings United

Maidstone United v Billericay Town

Kidderminster Harriers v Weymouth

Solihull Moors v Kettering Town

Burgess Hill Town v Dover Athletic

Merstham v Ebbsfleet United

Eastleigh v North Leigh

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The pick of the bunch

Chester’s trip to Southport is definitely the tie of the round. Some interesting match ups between the likes of Barrow and Tranmere but it is the clash between the Blues and the Sandgrounders that is the pick.

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Thoughts on the draw

It had to be. Chester will face Southport and Jon McCarthy will come up against Steve Burr in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round. While a home draw would have been preferable the trip to the Sandgrounders, struggling in the National League this season, offers a real chance of progression for Chester. It could have been far worse looking at some of the teams in the northern section and this clash has the added spice owing to Burr’s Blues connection. Both managers will know their opposite number inside out so it will be an intriguing clash and one sure to see plenty of Blues fans make the trip.

Dave Powell

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When and where?

The Blues will travel to Southport for the clash on Saturday, October 15 (3pm).

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Fan reaction

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Some other ties of note

Tranmere travel to Barrow and Wrexham make the trip to Stamford.

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A great chance to progress

The Sandgrounders have struggled so far this season but Chester will have preferred a home draw.

But McCarthy will know what to expect from Burr and this promises to be a hotly contested affair as the former Blues boss comes up against his old number two.

A good chance to progress for the Blues, though.

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It's Southport away!

Wow. Jon McCarthy v Steve Burr. You couldn’t write it.

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Here comes the draw

Getting ready to make the draw now.

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A famous face reminices

Dean Ashton is in the TalkSport studio ready for the FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw.

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Here's hoping we can make some more memories

While last season was one to forget for the Blues in the FA Cup, the 2014/15 season was definitely one to savour in the competition.

A 4-2 fourth qualifying round success at Stockport County was followed by a 2-1 win at League Two side Southend United.

A heroic display earned a 0-0 draw at League One outfit Barnsley in round two but the replay was to prove a step too far for the Blues as they were beaten 3-0 on home turf.

It was, though, an FA Cup to remember.

Action from Barnsley v Chester in the FA Cup. The squad pose in front of the fans.
Action from Barnsley v Chester in the FA Cup. The squad pose in front of the fans. (Image: Terry Marland)
Ben Heneghan heads the Blues into the lead at Southend
Ben Heneghan heads the Blues into the lead at Southend (Image: Luan Marshall)
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Hopes for the draw

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What time is the draw?

The draw is being made on the Jim White show on TalkSport radio after 11.30pm. Expect the Blues to know their fate before noon.

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Jon McCarthy's hopes for the draw

We’d love a home game against a minnow because financially the first round of this competition is very important to the football club. I know that. The budgets are all set to get through the season and we are very well run as a football club. But the bonuses you can have are if you sell a player or the FA Cup. We have tended to have a lot of away draws in the FA Cup and we just want to get through that first game. It is worth over £12,000 and that is really significant for this football club. It is vital. I have promised our board I will do twice as much preparation for the FA Cup as it can be so important financially to the club.

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Pre-draw thoughts

Chester FC season ticket holder and Chronicle story editor Mark Dowling shares his hopes for the draw.

Given the feel-good factor of Chester FC’s recent form, there are very few teams in this next round I’d fear, so it’s more about location. I’d be happy for Chester to be drawn against FC United of Manchester at home, as the matches between them and the Blues in recent years tended to be a great spectacle with a fine atmosphere. If it has to be away, a trip to Kidderminster Harriers and their renowned excellent pies would be nice.

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Numbers in full

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Anyone but Alty

We never do well there, do we?

Last season was one to forget for the Blues at the fourth qualifying round stage as they were beaten 1-0 by Altrincham at Moss Lane following an abject display.

Damien Reeves struck on 51 minutes to settle the contest and the Blues could have no real complaint over the result with the Robins more deserving of a place in the first round at the end of a game that never came close being a classic.

Altrincham 1 Chester 0

Tempers flare during Chester FC's defeat at Altrincham in the FA Cup
Tempers flare during Chester FC's defeat at Altrincham in the FA Cup (Image: Terry Marland)
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Who could the Blues face?

The northern section of the draw has plenty of tough potential opponents for Jon McCarthy’s Blues side.

Aside from the obvious clashes with National League rivals such as Wrexham and Tranmere, teams from the National League North including FC United of Manchester, FC Halifax Town and Stockport County offer real challenges.

Here are the draw numbers.

1 Barrow
2 Chester
3 Gateshead
4 Guiseley
5 Lincoln City
6 Macclesfield Town
7 North Ferriby United
8 Southport
9 Tranmere Rovers
10 Wrexham
11 York City
12 Halesown Town/Nantwich Town
13 Lincoln United
14 Bishop Auckland
15 FC Halifax Town
16 Alfreton Town
17 Curzon Ashton
18 Stourbridge
19 Matlock Town/Workington
20 Stockport County
21 Spennymoor Town
22 FC United of Manchester/Harrogate Town
23 Altrincham
24 Stamford

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What number are Chester in the draw?

The Blues are ball number two in the draw.

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Welcome

Good morning, Blues fans!

Following a memorable weekend that saw Chester smash five second-half goals past Dover Athletic in the National League, attention turns to the FA Cup today as the draw for the fourth qualifying round is made.

The draw is set for around 11.30am and is being made live on TalkSport radio and Chester have 23 possible opponents in the northern section as they look to progress to the first round proper for the first time since 2014.

Last season was a disappointing one for Chester at the fourth qualifying round stage as they were beaten 1-0 at Altrincham and they will be hoping for a favourable home draw against a minnow.

But with the likes of Tranmere Rovers, Lincoln City, Wrexham and Macclesfield Town all in the pot there are plenty of tough opponents that the Blues could be drawn against.

Let’s kick things off.

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