Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY welcome Merthyr Town to Victory Park this Saturday with the aim of getting back to winning ways.
Andy Preece's side picked up a point on Tuesday night at Southport, with Craig Hewitt scoring his sixth goal of the season, and sit sixth in the Enterprise National League North.
The Martyrs make the long trip up north off the back of poor form as well, with Paul Michael’s side having conceded 13 goals in their last three games.
Last Time Out
Chorley’s midweek trip to the coast featured goalkeeping coach Steven Drench being rushed into the line-up to deputise for the ill Matt Urwin.
The 40-year-old showed no signs of being retired as he performed admirably in the Magpies’ 1-1 draw with Southport.
On the road again after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Buxton, Andy Preece’s side started strongly with chances for Mike Calveley and Tom Carr in the opening 20 minutes.
Carr and Hewitt, Chorley’s biggest threat, had further opportunities either blocked or curled wide later in the half but could not test Chris Renshaw well enough.
At the other end of the pitch, Teddy Lavelle’s strike was tipped behind by goalkeeping coach Steven Drench, deputising between the sticks for the ill Matt Urwin, while Jordan Slew also had an effort turned behind by Mark Ellis on the goal line.
It took only two minutes after half-time for Hewitt to break the deadlock, cutting in from the left to fire high past Renshaw into the net in front of the travelling Magpies.
However, the home side levelled just minutes later through Arthur Gnahoua.
Chorley then had to weather a storm as Southport took control of the game with the backing of the home crowd, seeing a penalty shout being turned down by referee Samuel Bragg.
The final half hour saw tensions rise, with Bragg dishing out eight yellow cards in total, but neither side could break down their opponent and find a winner.
Chorley remain sixth in the table, with 21 points from 13 games, and could leapfrog Spennymoor Town with a win on Saturday.
Opposition Focus
Merthyr head into this weekend’s game sitting 11th in the National League North with 16 points in their first season after being promoted as champions of the Southern League Premier Division South.
However, the Martyrs have picked up just one point since 6 September and have had a leaky defence as of late, with 6-4 and 5-0 defeats to Spennymoor and Radcliffe in recent weeks.
Manager Paul Michael is in his fourth full season in charge after previous spells at Yate Town and Cinderford.
The club was reformed in 2010 after the liquidation of Merthyr Tydfil FC and they have progressed from Step 6 to Step 2 in the 15 years since.
Their squad contains key forward Ricardo Rees, who is currently joint second in the division’s scoring charts with nine goals from 12 games.
The 25-year-old signed from Yate Town in 2022, having previously played for Bristol City’s academy, and scored a combined 71 goals in the last two seasons.
Head-to-Head
Saturday’s game will be the first meeting between the Magpies and Merthyr Town.
Match Details
Chorley v Merthyr Town
Enterprise National League North
Saturday, October 25
3pm kick-off
Victory Park, Chorley, PR7 3DU
