Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY face a quick turnaround on Easter weekend with the short visit to FA Trophy semi-finalists Marine.
The Magpies caused an upset on Good Friday against top-of-the-table AFC Fylde, who went down to nine men early on, coming away with a 2-0 win.
Meanwhile, the Mariners succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at local rivals Southport.
Last Time Out
After a run of three games without a win, the Magpies ended their search for three points in style at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
The match started with a red card for Fylde defender Max Taylor, who received his marching orders in the 11th minute for a foul on Max Wilson, who looked set to break away through on goal.
Jack Sampson skied an effort over the bar after good closing down from the hosts, before it went from bad to worse for the visitors.
Midfielder Tom Whelan became the second Coaster to be sent off, all within 21 minutes, for a high boot on Owen German.
Chorley made the most of their two-man advantage and took the lead through Sam Bird three minutes later, the defender driving home into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.
Wilson came close to making it two in the first half and Adam Blakeman had a free-kick well saved by Zac Jones shortly after the break.
Bird then turned from goalscorer to provider just after the hour mark, this time crossing towards the back post for his defensive partner Mark Ellis to head home.
Jack Moore’s cross almost forced Adam Lewis to turn to ball into his own net, but he managed to clear behind for a corner.
Wilson had another opportunity to get his name on the scoresheet but his shot was well-blocked by Corey Whelan.
Blakeman almost found a third in the final minutes with a well-struck effort which flew narrowly wide.
But the Magpies eased out the rest of the game to take the three points and dent Fylde’s title hopes.
Opposition Focus
Monday’s hosts Marine sit just two points above Chorley but do have three games in hand, due to their FA Trophy run.
The Mariners ultimately lost 1-0 away at Step 1 side Wealdstone to end their hopes of playing at Wembley but their run saw them beat fellow National League sides Tamworth and Woking along the way.
Bobby Grant’s side finished 15th in the division last season, their first since promotion from Step 3, and have built on that performance this year.
16 wins and 7 draws from 39 games have given them an outside chance of sneaking into the play-offs, should they win all their games in hand.
35-year-old Grant took over as boss last summer after retiring as a player at the club.
His playing career saw him win promotion to League One with Shrewsbury Town and also play for the likes of Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United and Fleetwood Town in the EFL.
He later had an 18-month spell in charge of Radcliffe whilst still playing.
Midifelder Finley Sinclair-Smith leads the club’s goalscoring charts this season with nine goals, closely followed by Fylde loanee Charlie Jolley with eight.
Former Magpies Jack Hazlehurst resigned for the Mariners in February after being let go by League One side Burton Albion.
Their squad also contains former Scottish Premiership striker George Newell and ex-Tranmere Rovers defender Declan Drysdale.
Head-to-Head
The sides’ previous encounter saw Chorley triumph 2-1 in their final game of 2025.
Goals from Mike Calveley and Harry Ibbitson came either side of Adam Thomas’ to give the Magpies the win at Victory Park.
Last season, Marine picked up four points against Andy Preece’s side, winning 3-0 in Merseyside and drawing 0-0 away.
The Magpies did however win 3-1 in the second round of the FA Trophy with goals from Dubem Eze, Mo Touray and George Horbury.
Match Details
Marine v Chorley
Enterprise National League North
Monday, April 6
3pm kick-off
Marine Travel Arena, Crosby, L23 3AS
