Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY return to Victory Park for the first time in three-and-a-half weeks as struggling Hereford make the journey up north.
The Bulls only sit above the Enterprise National League North on goal difference but have three games in hand on the mid-table Magpies.
Andy Preece’s side have had a week to rest after their 1-1 draw at Worksop Town a fortnight ago and will be hoping to emulate August’s 4-1 thrashing at Edgar Street.
Last Time Out
Chorley picked up a point on the road in their last fixture against Worksop as Milan Lalkovic’s equaliser and Matt Urwin’s penalty save helped the Magpies.
The hosts began as the better side and took the lead through Jordan Burrow in the 11th minute.
Efforts for the visitors came the way of new signing Anjola Popoola, Lalkovic and Mike Calveley but were not converted, with the hosts heading into half time in the lead.
A serious injury to Worksop’s Martin Woods led to a lengthy stoppage at the start of the second half, with the midfielder being stretchered off.
The Magpies continued fighting and got their just reward in the 73rd minute when Warren Clarke was bundled over in the penalty box.
Lalkovic stepped up from the slot and finished with ease, sending Lewis Forshaw the wrong way
A collision in the box between Forshaw and Tom Carr minutes later was not deemed as a foul by the referee, before at the other end of the pitch Mark Ellis cleared a goal-bound shot off the line.
There was more drama to come as Vaughan Redford won a controversial penalty and proceeded to take it himself, only for Urwin to dive the right way and keep the score level.
Neither side could find a winner in the lengthy added time and settled for a point each.
The result left Chorley in 13th place and five points off the play-offs.
Opposition Focus
Despite their league position, Hereford head into Saturday’s fixture in good form, unbeaten in all competitions since 8 November.
Victories over AFC Sudbury and Radcliffe have seen them progress to the fourth round of the FA Trophy, where they will host AFC Fylde, while four points picked up on the road at Chester and Peterborough Sports have kept them out of the relegation zone.
Now into their eighth season back in Step 2 since forming as a phoenix club of the old Hereford United in 2014, the Bulls have been a steady mid-table side in recent years.
Under the management of former EFL defender Paul Caddis, they have brought in the likes of striker Gus Mafuta and ex-Fylde man Theo Richardson in goal.
Caddis is in his third season in charge of the club, in what is his first management role.
Head-to-Head
Chorley will be looking to do the double over the Bulls, following on from their impressive 4-1 away win at the start of the season.
A brace from Jack Sampson came after early goals from Craig Hewitt and Adam Blakeman as the Magpies dismantled the hosts’ defence.
Last season’s results saw Hereford win 1-0 at Edgar Street and pick up a point at Victory Park.
Match Details
Chorley v Hereford
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, December 20
3pm kick-off
Victory Park, Chorley, PR7 3DU
