Words: James Ede, Image: John Shirras
FOLLOWING on from last week’s FA Cup win at Congleton, Chorley return to Enterprise National League North action on Saturday as they host 10th-placed Macclesfield.
The Magpies progressed to the third qualifying round of the world’s oldest competition with a 0-1 victory at their eighth-tier hosts last week and will now focus back on the league as they welcome John Rooney’s men.
The Silkmen stormed to promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division last season and have picked up 12 points from their first eight games this season.
Last Time Out
Chorley’s first cup outing of the season saw them make the trip to Cheshire to face Congleton Town at the Cleric Stadium.
The Bears defeated Padiham in the preliminary round of the FA Cup before a walkover against Widnes set up their place in the second qualifying round.
Andy Preece made five changes from the 3-1 win over AFC Telford United as Jack Moore, Luke Summerfield, Tom Walker, Harry Ibbitson and George Pratt all came into the team.
The first big chance of the game came after 20 minutes as Adam Blakeman’s long throw into the Congleton box caused trouble and gave Walker a brilliant chance to head the Magpies in front but his header hit the bar before going over.
The hosts fought back but neither side were able to break the deadlock before half-time.
However, 58 minutes in, Bradford City loanee Ibbitson made it 0-1 with a pouncing finish after good work from the Congleton keeper initially.
The 19-year-old striker reacted first inside the six-yard box and tapped the ball home to give Chorley the lead.
He had a brilliant chance to double his tally eight minutes later as he latched on to a long header from Mark Ellis but blazed his effort over the goal.
Substitute Warren Clarke then almost made it two with just a few minutes left after good work down the right wing from Billy Whitehouse but he was unable to keep his header from flying over.
Congleton failed to really threaten Matt Urwin in goal and the Magpies saw out the game to book their place in the third qualifying round and a tie against South Shields, meaning they will travel to face the Mariners twice in consecutive weeks.
Opposition Focus
Macclesfield FC are approaching their fifth birthday after forming in October 2020 as the phoenix club of the wound-up Macclesfield Town.
Under the management of Robbie Savage, they achieved their third promotion in four years last season, finishing with 109 points at the top of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Savage left in the summer to join National League side Forest Green Rovers and was replaced by 34-year-old John Rooney, brother of Wayne, who retired as a player in April after helping the club to promotion.
So far, they have picked up wins against Worksop Town, Southport and Darlington and drawn with Alfreton Town and Spennymoor Town to put them 10th in the table and also progressed into the next round of the FA Cup after defeating Atherton Laburnum Rovers 3-0.
They have signed experienced non-league duo Josh Kay and Josef Yarney, as well as former Rochdale starlet Luke Matheson, who scored against Manchester United aged 16 in 2019.
Midfield duo Laurent Mendy, Tre Pemberton and Neil Kengni all followed Savage to Forest Green but they have retained the services of striker Danny Elliott, who scored 41 goals last season and has netted four already this year.
The former Scunthorpe United man also scored a 101st minute equaliser against Kidderminster Harriers in their last league game to earn the Silkmen a point on the road
Head-to-Head
Saturday’s game will be the first time Chorley have faced Macclesfield FC and it is also over 35 years since the last fixture against Macclesfield Town, when the two sides faced off in the 1989/90 GM Vauxhall Conference.
Both games finished 0-0 as the Silkmen finished fourth on 66 points and the Magpies were relegated by a point.
Match Details
Chorley vs Macclesfield
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, September 20
3pm kick-off
Victory Park, Chorley, PR7 3DU
