Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY aim to get back to winning ways with the visit of Kidderminster Harriers on Tuesday night.
The Magpies suffered a disappointing 1-2 defeat to mid-table rivals Buxton at the weekend, despite Jack Sampson’s second goal in as many games giving the hosts the lead at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
Adam Murray’s side make the trip up north after being held to a 1-1 draw by Chester on Saturday.
Last Time Out
After their promising draw with league leaders South Shields four days before, Andy Preece’s side looked to be continuing their good form when Jack Sampson headed in from Mark Ellis’ cross after 17 minutes at the weekend.
The visitors responded well, forcing into Matt Urwin into an expert double save from Johnny Johnston and Connor Douglas.
Johnston then cut inside and fired against the post before Urwin again was quickly forced into action, pushing Cian Coleman’s effort wide.
The Bucks came close with a direct free-kick hitting the woodwork, whilst at the other end of the pitch Harvey Smith headed over the bar.
Into the second half, the effervescent Max Wilson created an opportunity for Warren Clarke inside the box, but he could not keep his header down either.
Johnston squandered a one-on-one chance with Urwin before Harry Ibbitson had a goal ruled out for an apparent foul.
The away side equalised just after the hour mark through Coleman after good work between him and Johnston.
A vicious strike from Ellis almost gave the hosts the lead again but his effort struck the underside of the crossbar before bouncing away.
Not long later, sloppy play on the ball in the Magpies’ half led to Johnston breaking through on goal and finishing well past Urwin to make it 2-1 to Buxton with 16 minutes to go.
Chorley could not find an equaliser and suffered a tough blow to their play-off hopes, now sitting 13 points behind 7th-placed Scarborough Athletic with nine games to play.
Opposition Focus
Kidderminster head into Tuesday’s fixture in a good position, level on points with Merthyr Town in third and with three games in hand on the Welsh side.
A run of seven games unbeaten has bolstered Adam Murray’s play-off hopes after defeat in the semi-finals last season to Chester.
Their 1-1 draw with the Seals saw Charlie Cooper’s goal cancelled out by Fin Shrimpton in front of 3,000 at Aggborough.
Murray took charge in the summer after an 18-month spell at Eastbourne Borough, where he finished one point off the National League South title.
Previously, he led AFC Fylde to Step 1 as NLN champions in 2023 and also spent time as assistant to former Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael at Besiktas.
Full-back Reece Devine leads the way for the Harriers in the goals chart, with seven in 32 appearances.
He is closely by Ryley Reynolds and Morgan Amari-Smith, who both have six.
Their squad also contains experienced ‘keeper Christian Dibble and ex-Birmingham City and Wolves midfielder David Davis.
Head-to-Head
The sides’ encounter previously in the season saw Murray’s side take a 3-1 win in Worcestershire.
Michael Gyasi’s first-half opener gave the hosts the lead and despite a Cooper own goal levelling the score, late goals from Kurt Willoughby and Luke Spokes sealed the three points for Harriers.
In better news, Chorley won both encounters between the teams last season, coming away with 2-1 victories home and away.
Goals from defensive duo Scott Wilson and Mark Ellis gave the Magpies all three points at home in September 2024, with the latter also scoring alongside Tom Carr on the road in February.
Match Details
Chorley vs Kidderminster Harriers
Enterprise National League North
Tuesday, March 14th
7.45pm kick-off
Victory Park, Chorley, PR7 3DU
