Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY are in action for the first time in March as Andy Preece and his team travel to sixth-placed Macclesfield on Saturday.
The Magpies last played over a week ago, coming back from Spennymoor Town with a 1-0 defeat.
However, they will hope to repeat September’s dramatic 3-2 win over the Silkmen, which saw Harvey Smith pop up with a 95th-minute winner at Victory Park.
Last Time Out
Last week’s midweek trip to the North East ended in disappointment for the Magpies as they were unable to find an equaliser after Rob Ramshaw’s early goal for the hosts.
Matt Urwin made several important saves for Andy Preece’s side but they could not find a way past Brad James at The Brewery Field.
Ramshaw’s fourth minute goal came as he followed in Urwin’s save to tap in on the line.
A strong spell saw the away side test Moors goalkeeper James as Jack Sampson saw a drilled effort saved and Mark Ellis had a shot tipped onto the bar, the closest the visitors came to scoring in the first half.
Harvey Smith was forced off after 20 minutes, meaning Sam Bird replaced him in central defence.
Adam Blakeman’s cross caused trouble for James and Tom Carr put in a dangerous cross which was headed away before the home side took control again before the break.
Blakeman looked to catch out James with his free-kicks and forced him to back pedal in order to claim one.
Jack Moore made a brilliant sliding challenge to keep the deficit at one, whilst Urwin had an excellent final 10 minutes denying Glen Taylor and Junior Mondal, including two superb back-to-back saves.
Jack Griffiths had an opportunity to equalise in the dying seconds but after making room for himself well his shot failed to test James.
The Magpies remain 15th in the Enterprise National League North with 42 points from 34 games.
Opposition Focus
Macclesfield have enjoyed their first season in Step 2 since forming as a phoenix club in 2020 and have also made cup history.
Their 2-1 win over reigning holders Crystal Palace in the third round of the FA Cup in January was the biggest upset in the competition’s history in terms of difference in league places.
In the league, they sit a point inside the play-offs with four games in hand over some teams, in what is John Rooney’s first season in management.
The brother of former England and Manchester United legend Wayne retired from playing last summer before replacing Robbie Savage in the dugout.
So far, his side have won 55 points from 32 games.
Forwards Danny Elliott and D’Mani Mellor have both led the line well with 11 goals each but the former has been ruled out of the rest of the season with injury and the latter has just completed a move to Step 1 side Forest Green Rovers.
Therefore, James Gale will be leading the frontline after scoring twice on Tuesday night to seal a 2-1 win at fellow play-off chasing side Darlington.
Their squad also contains former Manchester United defender Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, ex-Wolves and Rochdale man Luke Matheson and former Chorley winger Justin Johnson.
Head-to-Head
Harvey Smith’s stoppage time winner at home in September won all three points for the Magpies after a brace of penalties from Craig Hewitt was cancelled out by goals from Sean Etaluku and Elliott.
That game was the first time fixture between the sides since Macclesfield reformed.
It is over 35 years since the last game 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
Macclesfield FC vs Chorley
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, March 7
3pm kick-off
Leasing.com Stadium, Macclesfield, SK11 7SP
