Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY'S first midweek fixture of the season takes place this Tuesday as they welcome Scarborough Athletic to the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
The Magpies continued their campaign in fine style last weekend with a 3-0 demolition of North West rivals Chester to make it two wins from two.
Sitting second in the table, Andy Preece’s side will fancy their chances at earning another three points against a Seadogs side who are currently 14th, who come into this one off the back of an impressive win against AFC Fylde at Bridlington.
Last Time Out
After an eventful 2-3 away win at Darlington on the opening day of the season, Chorley’s first home game of the 2025/26 Enterprise National League North campaign was a spectacular occasion for those cheering on the boys in Black & White.
In a highly anticipated clash against stern opposition in Chester, the hosts had the best efforts in a first half that was notable from a flashpoint as Seals midfielder Jack Bainbridge was brandished a straight red card for a late challenge on Billy Whitehouse.
Tom Carr had the two best chances of the opening half as he saw one shot bobble past Andrew Wogan’s far post and another where he was unable to convert Warren Clarke’s cross from close range.
Shortly after the break, the game was as good as over as three quickfire goals from Chorley all but ended Chester’s hopes of getting anything from the match.
First, Mike Calveley arrived perfectly to meet Adam Henley’s header and drill the ball past the young Chester keeper to give the Magpies the lead in the 51st minute.
Just two minutes later, striker Jack Sampson found his second goal of the season with an even better finish than last week’s hooked effort, again on the volley.
Clarke’s edge-of-the-box header across to the number nine was controlled well before he smashed a first-time shot into the top-left part of Wogan’s net, giving him no chance.
Sampson was then involved in the home side’s third goal in just nine minutes as he headed Henley’s cross towards Mark Ellis and forced Chester defender Tom Leak to flick the ball from behind himself and over his keeper into the goal.
The Magpies saw out the rest of the game with ease and completed an emphatic victory over last season’s fellow play-off contenders.
Opposition Focus
Tuesday’s opponents Scarborough Athletic came away from the weekend with a big win as they triumphed 2-1 win over recently relegated AFC Fylde.
Manager Jonathan Greening saw his side lose by one goal to Kidderminster Harriers on the opening day of the season but made just one change to his team, with Stephen Walker coming in for fellow attacker Richie Bennett.
That turned out to be an influential decision as Walker opened the scoring two minutes after half-time, being the first player to react to a loose ball from a corner and firing past Zac Jones.
Substitute Danny Mayor equalised 20 minutes later with a sliding effort on his left, and the game looked to be heading for a draw before defender Kieran Weledji pounced to tap in after Jones’ point-blank save.
Greening’s summer signings included 6ft 6 in centre-back Jake Hull from Rotherham United and striker Rio Allen from Hallam, who top-scored for the Sheffield side with 39 goals in the ninth tier last season.
The Seadogs were unbeaten in pre-season, with wins over the likes of Cleethorpes Town and Stockton Town, and are now in their fifth season under the management of Greening, who guided them to promotion to Step Two in 2022 and a 15th-place finish last year.
The former defender played for the likes of Manchester United, West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest before retiring and also featured for England at youth level.
Head to Head
Last season’s encounters saw one win for each team, with the away side coming out on top on both occasions.
January’s match at Scarborough Sports Village saw the hosts take a 2-1 lead with half an hour left but goals from Calveley and Ellis rescued all three points for the Magpies.
Back in August of last year, a 92nd minute winner from Frank Mulhern completed a turnaround for the Seadogs after Craig Hewitt had initially given Andy Preece’s side the lead.
Match Details
Chorley vs Scarborough Athletic
Enterprise National League North
Tuesday, August 19
7.45pm kick-off
Victory Park, Chorley, PR7 3DU
