Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY will be at home for the second of three consecutive games as they take on Buxton this weekend.
Andy Preece’s side put in an encouraging performance on Tuesday night against league leaders South Shields, thoroughly deserving a point from the 1-1 draw and arguably more.
The Magpies are aiming to close the gap to the play-offs and a win against a Buxton team who sit three places and two points above them will help them in doing so.
Last Time Out
Victory Park played host to an entertaining draw between Chorley and South Shields live on DAZN on Tuesday night.
Jack Sampson’s finish quickly cancelled out Middlesbrough loanee Sonny Finch’s early opener and neither side could find a further goal in a strong performance from the Magpies.
Preston North End loanee Max Wilson came close to opening the scoring from Warren Clarke’s cross but the youngster was unable to test Tom Watson in the Mariners’ goal.
The visitors made the hosts pay, going straight up the other end of the pitch and finishing through Finch in the 12th minute.
Andy Preece’s side responded excellently however and were level four minutes later.
Wilson made amends with brilliant footwork to fashion a chance for Sampson, who turned the ball in from close range to make it 1-1.
The Magpies did not let their foot off the gas, seeing Jack Moore’s freekick thunder into the Shields crossbar before Taelor O’Kane, Owen German and Wilson all had opportunities in a frantic spell.
Both sides grew frustrated with the referee’s decisions in the second half, with Matthew Swift being booked in the dugout and Mike Calveley also penalised for a challenge on his opponent.
Wilson continued his excellent performance, running at the South Shields defence relentlessly, whilst Sam Bird backed up his impressive substitute appearance at the weekend with another good showing.
Harvey Smith almost gave the Magpies the lead but saw his header cleared off the line, before Harry Ibbitson fired into the side netting after coming off the bench.
Smith was again denied, this time by keeper Watson who palmed away his header.
At the other end of the pitch, Paul Blackett, scorer of 22 goals so far this season, scuffed a golden opportunity just yards out from goal.
A late burst from the Mariners threatened to give them the win but the Magpies held out, despite seeing Calveley sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time.
Both teams had to settle for a point after a thrilling encounter, which sees Chorley remain in 14th place but move a point closer to the play-offs, with the gap now 10 points.
Opposition Focus
The Bucks make the weekend trip to Lancashire after denting Darlington’s top seven hopes with a 2-0 win at Blackwell Meadows in midweek.
Goals from Connor Kirby and Cian Coleman moved John McGrath’s side up to 11th in the Enterprise National League North, eight points off the play-offs.
After sneaking into the top seven on the last day of the 2024/25 campaign, the Bucks were defeated by Chester and Harrison Burke’s extra time winner to deny them of a semi-final place.
After taking over in May 2024 after an eight-year spell at Mickleover, McGrath is in his second season as manager at the Silverlands.
Former Manchester City youngster Tai Sodje is the side’s top-scorer so far this campaign, with 11 goals in 20 games.
He is closely followed by winger Luke Brennan, who has 10 goals and spent time at both Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic.
After going winless in six games from the end of January to February, Buxton have won two of their past three games.
A 3-1 win at Merthyr Town a fortnight ago ended that run, before a 3-1 loss to Kidderminster Harriers last weekend preceded Tuesday’s victory at Darlington.
Head-to-Head
The Magpies suffered late heartbreak at Buxton earlier in the season as stoppage time goals from Brennan and Grant Ward completed a turnaround to win 3-2.
Warren Clarke and George Pratt gave Chorley a 2-1 lead after Max Bardell’s first-half opener, but a cruel 97th-minute winner from Ward left the Magpies crushed.
Last season saw both sides win at home in the two encounters between the teams.
The Magpies cruised to a 3-0 victory at Victory Park in February thanks to goals from Mark Ellis and Mike Calveley, as well as an own goal.
The return fixture in April a narrow game won by Connor Kirby’s first-half goal.
Match Details
Chorley vs Buxton
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, March 14
3pm kick-off
Victory Park, Chorley, PR7 3DU
