Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY'S fourth game in ten days sees them make the short trip to Curzon Ashton on Tuesday night following their first loss of the season at the weekend.
The Magpies were defeated 1-0 by Leamington at the Your Co-op Community Stadium on Saturday to bring an end to their unbeaten run and drop them down to third in the Enterprise National League North.
Against a Curzon Ashton side who got the better of them twice last year, Andy Preece will be looking for revenge.
Last Time Out
Saturday’s fixture at Leamington was the first game this season the Magpies have not picked up any points, having won four and drawn one of their first five.
Preece made two changes to his team from Bank Holiday Monday’s 4-0 drubbing of King’s Lynn Town as Joe Nolan and Billy Whitehouse replaced George Horbury and Craig Hewitt.
Despite dominating the first half, Chorley were unable to create many clear-cut chances.
Warren Clarke forced debutant goalkeeper Rogan Ravenhill into a smart stop with his legs and Whitehouse’s 30-yard driven half-volley flew just over the bar but the Barnsley loanee had few saves to make.
Just as the hosts started to grow into the game, Jack Sampson had Chorley’s best chance with 15 minutes to go.
Substitute Tom Walker’s cross found him six yards out from goal in a great position, but Ravenhill palmed away his bouncing header to deny the number nine.
Then, with just one minute left and moments after a combination of the post and Matt Urwin stopped them from taking the lead, Leamington broke the deadlock.
A long free-kick caused panic in the Chorley box and, although defenders flung their bodies at the ball, centre-half Max Ram pounced to fire home.
The visitors had one more chance to equalise but Mike Calveley’s close-range effort was somehow blocked by a defender just yards from the goal line, securing the hosts’ victory.
The defeat broke the Magpies’ unbeaten record and saw them drop down a place after AFC Fylde’s win but Preece’s side still sit in the top three of the table.
Opposition Focus
Tuesday night’s game will see Chorley face a Curzon Ashton side who are yet to win at home this season, with one draw and two defeats at Tameside Stadium.
After narrowly missing out on last year’s play-offs on goal difference, the Nash lost the likes of goalkeeper Bobby Jones and midfielders Stefan Mols and Isaac Sinclair to sides higher up in the pyramid but have recruited several players with National League North experience.
Goalkeeper Callum Hawkins, centre-back Jack Stafford and winger Jack Stobbs were all playing in the division last season, whilst 34-year-old defender Chris Stokes has won promotion from League Two twice with Coventry City and Bury and was playing in the EFL as recently as last December.
Young striker Bradley Holmes, who signed from Marine this summer, is currently their top-scorer with two goals so far. Holmes, once upon a time, played for Chorley on loan from Blackpool.
Their last match saw them lose 1-0 to Kidderminster Harriers at home and leave them with six points from as many games, sitting 17th in the table.
Head coach Mark Bradshaw took over this summer after holding various roles at the club over the previous 20 years.
The 55-year-old’s playing career saw him spend time with the likes of Blackpool, Macclesfield Town and Halifax Town as a left-back.
Head to Head
The 2024/25 campaign saw the Magpies lose 3-0 both home and away.
At Victory Park in November, the Nash capitalised on Scott Wilson’s sending off to score three quick second-half goals from Mols, Jimmy Spencer and Sinclair.
In the away game in March, a late double from Spencer completed a second three-goal victory after Alex Curran’s early opener.
Match Details
Curzon Ashton vs Chorley
Enterprise National League North
Tuesday, September 2
7.45pm kick-off
Tameside Stadium, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL7 9HG
