Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY face a quick turnaround following Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Buxton as they travel to bottom of the table Southport on Tuesday night.
The Magpies suffered a heartbreaking defeat in stoppage time in Derbyshire but will be hopeful of turning around their fortunes at Haig Avenue.
Southport are 24th in the Enterprise National League North but did beat Oxford City 1-2 on Saturday, setting up a close encounter with Chorley.
Last Time Out
The weekend’s trip to Buxton ended in despair for Andy Preece's side as late goals from Luke Brennan and George Ward turned around the Magpies’ 2-1 lead in added time.
Andy Preece made two changes from the 3-3 draw with Oxford City seven days prior as loanees George Pratt and Taelor O’Kane replaced Mark Ellis and Tom Carr after impressive second-half performances against the Hoops.
The hosts controlled early proceedings with winger Brennan looking dangerous but were unable to create any clear-cut chances to test Matt Urwin.
The Magpies fought their way back into the game but fell a goal behind after 36 minutes as Max Bardell headed past Urwin from Brennan’s in-swinging free-kick.
However, the visitors equalised almost immediately after half-time as Warren Clarke made it 1-1 in the 51st minute, firing into the bottom left corner after the ball dropped to him from a corner.
Chances became sparce for both sides until defender Pratt popped up to take the lead with 10 minutes left.
The Bucks failed to clear a corner and the ball fell to the Blackburn Rovers loanee who smashed it past Paul Cooper in goal.
Chorley held on until injury time but conceded two late goals from a Brennan penalty and a 97th-minute finish from George Ward.
Despite the heartbreak, Preece's side still occupy a place in the play-offs, sitting in sixth place with 20 points from 12 games.
Opposition Focus
Tuesday night’s hosts Southport will come into the fixture feeling positive after bringing back three points from Oxford City at the weekend.
That was only the Sandgrounders’ second win of the season and lifted the pressure on manager Neil Danns, the former Guyana international and Premier League player who took over in the summer.
Before Saturday, they had not win in the league since a 3-1 victory over Bedford Town in the second game of the season.
However, goals from Adrien Thibaut and Jordan Slew pushed them up to seven points and narrowed the gap between them and Peterborough Sports.
As well as having EFL experience from the likes of Slew, Danny Lloyd and Arthur Gnahoua, Southport’s squad also contains forward Momodou Touray, who spent last season at Victory Park.
The former Wales youth international signed from Warrington Rylands and scored six goals in 42 league games for the Magpies in his sole season with the club.
Manager Danns is experiencing his first senior management role after previously spending time as player-manager at Macclesfield and assistant manager of Tranmere Rovers.
In his playing career, the 42-year-old won promotions with Colchester United, Birmingham City, Blackpool, Bury and Macclesfield (twice), as well as winning the Cymru Premier with Connah’s Quay Nomads.
Head-to-Head
Chorley fared well against Southport in the 2024/25 campaign, picking up four wins, including a 4-1 victory at home in August.
A brace from Mark Ellis was added to by Mike Calveley and Scott Wilson after experienced striker Jamie Proctor had made it 1-1.
At Haig Avenue in January, both sides came away with a point in a goalless draw.
Match Details
Southport vs Chorley
Enterprise National League North
Tuesday, October 21
7.45pm kick-off
Haig Avenue, Southport, PR8 6JZ
