Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY travel to promotion-chasing AFC Fylde on Boxing Day, with the Magpies looking to follow up last weekend’s 4-2 win over Hereford with another strong performance.
The victory over the Bulls narrowed the gap to the playoffs to just three points for Andy Preece’s side, while Fylde sit in second place, two points behind leaders South Shields.
The trip to Mill Farm will pose a challenge for the Magpies but they will be buoyed by a recent upturn in performance.
Last Time Out
Chorley rose two places in the Enterprise National League North on Saturday as Anjola Popoola, Max Wilson and Tom Walker all scored their first goals for the club, with Mark Ellis also finding the back of the net.
The hosts raced into a quick lead at Victory Park, with Altrincham loanee Popoola opening the scoring after four minutes, heading home from Milan Lalkovic’s pin-point cross.
The Magpies continued to pile on the pressure with Tom Carr going close twice but the visitors equalised against the run of play through veteran forward Andy Williams.
The home side were not fazed though and deservedly retook the lead shortly after home time, Ellis heading past Theo Richardson at the back post from Jack Moore’s corner.
More and more efforts came as Carr was unlucky in hitting the crossbar but the third goal came from Wilson on the hour mark.
The young midfielder, on loan from Preston North End, wandered into the box and latched onto Carr’s pass to fire past Richardson in goal.
The best was yet to come though as Walker capped off the performance with a lovely curling finish six minutes later to all but seal the three points for the hosts.
Williams added a consolation second for Hereford in the 85th minute but the win was secured for Chorley, helping them in their push for the top seven.
Opposition Focus
Boxing Day’s opponents Fylde will be hoping to overhaul South Shields with a victory over the Magpies but are coming off a 1-0 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers.
Craig Mahon’s side are back at Step 2 after relegation from the National League last season and have lived up to their expectations as one of the favourites for the title.
Former Chorley loanee Danny Ormerod’s 13 goals have led their promotion charge and he has been backed up by former Leeds youngster Luca Thomas, who has netted 11 times from the wing.
The Coasters can also count on the experience of Danny Mayor and Ryan Colclough, who share six promotions between them.
Captain Corey Whelan joined in 2024 from Carlisle United having spent time in Liverpool’s academy and another ex-Magpie, Jonathan Ustabasi, provides further attacking threat.
Mahon took charge in the summer, joining from Curzon Ashton, whom he led for over 18 months.
Head-to-Head
The Magpies’ last meetings with the Coasters came in back-to-back affairs in the 2022/23 season.
Goals from Connor Hall and Ustabasi secured all three points on Boxing Day at Mill Farm before Alex Whitmore’s late winner gave Fylde an away victory on New Year’s Day.
Match Details
AFC Fylde v Chorley
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, December 26
3pm kick-off
Mill Farm, Wesham, PR4 3JZ
