Chester FC manager Calum McIntyre believes ‘a lot of stuff’ has gone against his side as they prepare to face York City in the First Round of the FA Cup this weekend.

The Seals are missing several key players, with top scorer Charlie Caton ruled out through injury and forward Tom Peers ineligible due to being cup-tied.

Forward Kole Hall is also sidelined for a lengthy period after requiring knee surgery while Adam Thomas remains a doubt.

Speaking ahead of the match, McIntyre said: “We’re well aware of the challenge ahead.

“It’s going to be tougher than we envisaged 10 days ago. We’ve had a lot of stuff that’s gone against us, but it’s brilliant to be a part of it and we don’t want our FA Cup journey to end come Saturday.

“To have gone above and beyond in terms of our target of reaching the final qualifying round and make the competition proper, and to have had some of the rewards that brings for the football club, is just really exciting for everyone involved.”

Chester are looking to reach the second round of the competition for the first time since 2014, when they lost to Barnsley in a replay after drawing 0-0 at Oakwell.

They come into the tie in electric form, having won six games in a row and kept clean sheets in each of their last four victories.

Meanwhile, York are struggling in the National League as they look to be in for another relegation fight. The Minstermen sit in 22nd place with just three wins from their opening 18 games.

Chester kicked off this season’s cup campaign with a 3-1 away at Tadcaster Albion in the Second Qualifying Round before a 94th-minute winner from Caton secured a 2-1 home win against Nantwich in the next round.

The Seals were then drawn in a tough away tie at National League side Hartlepool, but ran out as 2-0 winners with Caton on the scoresheet again.

York City won the last encounter between the teams when they faced each other in the National League North nearly two years ago, with Lenell John-Lewis’ goal securing a 1-0 win as they went on to secure promotion back to the fifth tier.

York have also struggled to make it past this stage of the competition in recent years, with Neal Ardley’s men looking to make the second round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2010/11 season.

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