PREVIEW: Spalding United (h)

CHORLEY are back at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium for an encounter with Spalding United.

The Magpies have had two cup fixtures in a row but return to National League North action against the newly promoted Tulips, who are flying high in fourth.

Andy Preece’s side will hope to put Tuesday night’s 3-1 Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy defeat to Clitheroe behind them and get back on form.

Last Time Out

The midweek fixture at Step Four outfit, Clitheroe, was a disappointing night for the Magpies, who looked second best for most of the game.

Preece made eight changes from the 0-1 win at Warrington Rylands in the FA Cup, Li-Bau Stowell, Adam Blakeman and Callum Rowe the only players to retain their place.

The hosts made a rapid start – finding themselves two goals up within 10 minutes.

First, Mark Ellis was penalised for a contentious foul on Alhagi Touray in the penalty box which allowed Jason Gilchrist to finish from the spot.

Four minutes later, a cross was turned home by Gilchrist into Stowell’s bottom right corner to shock the Magpies.

The visitors struggled to find their best football in the opening 45 minutes and apart from an Ellis header which went over the bar, produced nothing.

Rio Alston came narrowly close to making it 3-0 on the stroke of half-time, cutting inside off the right to fire a powerful strike against the crossbar.

Chorley’s goal came in the 57th minute from Blakeman, who excellently curled a free-kick from 30 yards into the bottom left corner, giving Liam Isherwood no chance.

Shortly after, Ellis was forced off with a bad looking injury, which triggered a series of substitutions from the away side.

Lewis Salmon had a penalty shout turned down as the Magpies struggled to find another goal.

The hosts eventually added another goal in the 81st minute, Jordan Carroll heading home from a corner.

Youngster Fin Denning and Jacob Cummins were given minutes off the bench in the late stages but could not help Preece’s side avoid defeat.

Opposition Focus

Saturday’s visitors Spalding United will come to Lancashire high in confidence, sitting on 17 points from nine games, five points off leaders Hereford.

Jimmy Dean’s side defeated Real Bedford in last season’s Southern League Premier Division Central play-off final to seal promotion to Step Two.

They began the season in perfect fashion with a 2-0 win at Radcliffe and have since also beaten Worksop Town, Southport, Spennymoor Town and Bedford Town.

Those last three wins have come in their last three games, making Saturday’s game an even tougher test for the Magpies.

The player to look out for will be Polish forward Bartosz Cybulski, who has already netted 10 goals.

Formerly of King’s Lynn Town, the 23-year-old moved to Lincolnshire in September 2024 and scored 22 times last year in a clinical partnership with young winger Jack Roberts, who got 26 goals.

Roberts signed a new three-year deal in the summer, securing his future at the club, but is yet to find the net this campaign.

Manager, Dean, moved to the Sir Halley Stewart Field in 2024 after spells at Peterborough Sports and Scunthorpe United.

He has brought in National League players Tom Pugh and Michael Kelly this summer, as well as Doncaster Rovers midfielder Sam Straughan-Brown and striker Tate Xavier-Jones from Luton Town on loans.

The Tulips’ squad also contains former Leicester City and Reading, and Jamaica international, defender Liam Moore.

The 33-year-old signed two years ago and has appeared in every match this season.

Head-to-Head

Chorley and Spalding United have never played each other before, with Saturday’s game set to be the first ever meeting between the sides.

Match Details

Chorley vs Spalding United

Enterprise National League North

Saturday, September 26

3pm kick-off

Grant Store Victory Park Stadium, Chorley, PR7 3DU