Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY head into the weekend looking for their third win in a row after victories over Merthyr Town and Southport.
The Magpies have scored seven goals in their last two games and delivered a dominant performance on Tuesday night at Victory Park.
Radcliffe, on the other hand, are set for their first game without Anthony Johnson in co-charge and have lost four of their last six games.
Last Time Out
Andy Preece’s side ran rampant in front of goal in midweek with Adam Blakeman starring in a 4-2 local derby win over Southport.
The full-back scored and got three assists as Tom Carr, Anjola Popoola and Mark Ellis also found the net
The visitors took a quick lead within two minutes as Ted Lavelle fired home after the Magpies failed to clear their lines.
They responded in good time though, levelling in the 16th minute when Blakeman’s long throw caused trouble in the Southport box and Carr got the final touch for his second goal in as many games.
Referee Joe Moss had his fair share of scuffles to sort out and dished out yellow cards to Blakeman, Matt Urwin, DJ Pedro and Mark Ellis in a lively first half.
The hosts started to take charge as Anjola Popoola delivered a lovely left-footed cross to Carr at the far post but his strike partner was unable to connect well.
The Magpies did take the lead in the 34th minute and it was Accrington Stanley loanee Popoola, continuing his rich vein of form.
Blakeman swung a cross into the box on his weaker foot and the teenager rose excellently, directing his header back across goal, where it hit the post and made its way across Chris Renshaw’s goalline.
But the Sandgrounders hit back within minutes, Pedro finding space in the hosts’ box and finishing past Urwin.
The former Bury man squandered two more chances before half-time as the sides went into the break level.
A cagey start to the second half was broken by Blakeman in the 63rd minute, with the number 16 swinging a corner all the way into Renshaw’s goal.
The Magpies did not hold off there and, four minutes, later Ellis made it four.
Another Blakeman cross found the centre-back in the box, where he swung a foot out and his volley made its way past Renshaw to give the hosts a two-goal lead.
Carr looked back to his best, almost having a second blocked by Jordan Keane and testing Renshaw from distance.
Southport defender Paul Murphy-Worrell received a second yellow card in the 85th minute for a pull on Warren Clarke, leaving the visitors with 10 men.
There was also time for Jack Sampson to make his return from injury off the bench and he nearly made it five, seeing his header saved by a combination of Renshaw and the post.
Full-time came and saw the end of the Magpies’ dominant second-half performance, filling Andy Preece with positives and moving his side six points off the play-offs.
Opposition Focus
Radcliffe have had a poor start to 2026 and their fortunes were worsened by the departure of joint First Team Manager Anthony Johnson, who has left to take over of Step 4 side Bury.
Bernard Morley remains in charge of the Boro and will be looking for a turnaround in form on Saturday.
They have recently dropped down to fifth in the table after five defeats since the turn of the year.
That runs of games includes 5-1 and 4-1 hammerings by Buxton and Scarborough Athletic at home.
Last Saturday also saw them suffer defeat at Stainton Park, with King’s Lynn Town nicking a late 1-0 win through Terry Bondo.
Summer signing Rio Clegg leads the club’s scoring charts with 19 goals in 29 games after joining from Step 4 outfit Trafford FC and is the joint third highest scorer in the division.
Experienced forward Jordan Hulme is the side’s next highest scorer with eight goals.
Radcliffe can bank on the experience in their squad, with the likes of Jon Taylor, Callum McFadzean, Dan Gardner, David Ball and Hallam Hope all having played at higher levels of the pyramid.
Whilst in a management duo with Johnson, Morley has spent time at Ramsbottom United, Salford City, Chester and Spennymoor Town.
The pair guided the Boro into the National League North for the first time in the club’s history in 2024 and battled to safety last year, finishing 20th.
Head-to-Head
The sides’ previous meeting this season was an entertaining 2-2 draw in Greater Manchester, which saw Altrincham loanee Lucas Weaver score a brace for the Magpies, including a stoppage time equaliser, in his last game for the club.
The forward opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half before goals from Clegg and Hulme turned it around after the break.
However, Weaver’s 91st-minute goal meant his side came away with a well-deserved point.
The last time the teams met at Victory Park saw Chorley trash their opponents with a 5-0 win.
First-half goals from Tom Carr and Kole Hall were added to by Courtney Senior, Carr again and Mark Ellis after half time to complete a dominant display.
The prior fixture last season ended in a 2-0 win at home for Radcliffe, with goals from Rick Smith and Hulme.
Match Details
Chorley vs Radcliffe
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, February 14
3pm kick-off
Victory Park, Chorley, PR7 3DU
