Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY return to Enterprise National League North action this weekend with a trip to Leamington with Andy Preece looking for his side to follow up last weekend’s Bank Holiday six points with three more this Saturday.
The Magpies continued their near perfect start to the season with two wins against Hereford and King’s Lynn Town in the space of three days last week, putting four goals past both teams, and are currently the top-scorers in the top six tiers of English football.
Although Leamington have only picked up five points from as many games so far this campaign, the 17th-placed side will pose a challenge at the Your Co-Op Community Stadium.
Last Time Out
Bank Holiday Monday witnessed a brilliant showing from the Magpies as they clinically dispatched nine-man King’s Lynn Town by four goals to nil.
Back at Victory Park, the hosts were given an early advantage when the Linnets’ Emmanuel Maja received a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Adam Henley.
Chorley swiftly took the lead as Mike Calveley converted after 11 minutes from Mark Ellis’ cut-back and settled into the break with a one goal lead despite further chances from Craig Hewitt, Tom Carr and Ellis.
The home side were given another helping hand at the start of the second half as Lynn goalkeeper Louis Chadwick became the second player to be sent off after fouling Carr just outside the box with the attacker one-on-one.
Not long later, Hewitt doubled the hosts’ lead by reacting quickly to substitute keeper Paul Jones’ fumble and finishing through his legs.
A third goal came in the 86th minute as Bradford City loanee Harry Ibbitson headed in Henley’s cross after neat work from the full-back and Ellis made it four in added time, fighting off his marker to convert Milan Lalkovic’s ball into the box.
After Saturday’s 4-1 win at Hereford, the Magpies completed an excellent weekend despite a short turnaround and held their second-place spot, with leaders South Shields maintaining their perfect record.
Opposition Focus
This weekend’s visit to bottom-half Leamington will see Chorley dubbed as the favourites given their splendid start to the season but the home side will be up for the occasion.
After Monday’s heartbreaking 97th minute defeat to Kidderminster Harriers, the Brakes will be fired up and looking for their second win of the campaign.
Manager Paul Holleran is approaching an incredible 16 years in charge at the club and secured their sixth-tier safety last season with a 16th-place finish after promotion from the Southern League Premier Division Central in 2024.
Their Bank Holiday defeat saw them go two goals down at Aggborough Stadium before Owen Farmer pulled one back with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Holleran’s side then thought they had secured a miraculous draw with a 95th minute equaliser from Ethan Hill but were crashed back down by Ryley Reynolds’ winner minutes later.
The Brakes’ summer signings included young Nottingham Forest keeper Will Brook, full-back Demico Burton, centre-half Max Ram, midfielders Hisham Chiha and Hill, and Portuguese winger Miro Pais, all of whom started against the Harriers.
Since joining the club in November 2009, 54-year-old Holleran has taken charge of almost 800 matches, won two promotions and the Birmingham Senior Cup three times.
Head to Head
Both sides picked up one win in last season’s meetings as the hosts triumphed on both occasions.
The Magpies picked up three points in November as a first-half brace from Fylde loanee Danny Ormerod sealed a 2-1 win, whilst the Brakes won March’s encounter 3-2, with the Chorley goals coming from Kole Hall and Adam Blakeman.
Match Details
Leamington vs Chorley
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, August 30
3pm kick-off
Your Co-Op Community Stadium, Leamington Spa, CV33 9QB
