Preview: Chorley (A)

    The Blues are on the road for the first time this campaign on Saturday for a tough test at Chorley.

    Both sides started their season in style on the opening day, the Magpies with a dramatic 3-2 win away from home over Darlington and the Seals with a well-deserved victory via the same scoreline over Peterborough Sports at the Deva Stadium.

    Fin Roberts opened the scoring early on against the Turbines before Dylan Mottley-Henry sealed all three points with a brace to cancel out two goals from Josiah Dyer for the visitors.

    The Opposition

    A fifth-placed finish for the Magpies last term represented a second top five finish in succession for Andy Preece’s side.

    Chorley look prepared and ready to push for the play-offs again after a summer focused on retainment, a point that was highlighted by last weekend’s team selection at Darlington, in which the starting XI featured no new summer signings.

    Tom Walker has been brought in from fellow sixth tier side Radcliffe, whilst 19-year-old forward Harry Ibbitson has joined on a short-term loan deal from Bradford City.

    Jack Moore is another new acquisition as he put pen-to-paper on a permanent basis following three previous loan spells at Victory Park from Blackpool.

    The Magpies will be without Slovakian winger Milan Lalkovic for Saturday’s clash after he picked up a first-half red card in the win over Darlington.

    The Gaffer

    Experienced boss Andy Preece is now in his fourth season as manager at Victory Park, with a further four years as assistant prior between 2018-22.

    Now a mainstay at the Lancashire club, the 58-year-old has held roles at a number of clubs since he first stepped into management in 1999 at Bury, before stints with Worcester City, Northwich Victoria, Airbus UK and Southport.

    Preece’s playing career saw him feature as a striker in the Premier League for a singular campaign at Crystal Palace.

    The stint at Selhurst Park was sandwiched in between stretches with Stockport County, Bury, Blackpool and Carlisle United.

    One To Watch

    Experienced defender Mark Ellis comes into 25/26 off the back of an unbelievable goalscoring season from centre-back, with a major contribution of 13 goals that proved crucial in securing a play-off berth.

    The 36-year-old continues to play a crucial role in a steely defence at Victory Park, after featuring in the EFL for the vast majority of his career.

    Ellis started out in the Bolton Wanderers youth setup before a first move to Torquay United in September 2007.

    In total, the defender has turned out for 12 clubs over an 18-year professional career, including Crewe Alexandra, Carlisle United and Shrewsbury Town.

    Match Details

    Kick off on Saturday is 15:00. The postcode for the ground is PR7 3DU. Chester FC supporters have received an allocation of 750 tickets at Victory Park.

    Ticket Details

    There is no seated tickets available for travelling fans due to ground safety reasons, with our entire allocation made up of standing tickets.

    No tickets will be sold to Chester FC supporters on the day at Victory Park, but online sales will remain open until kick-off.

    Non-matchday prices will remain at a reduced rate until midday on Saturday, when adult tickets will rise by £3 and concessions by £2.

    Purchased in advance

    • Adult – £17
    • Concession – £13
    • Under 18 – £5
    • Under 12 – Free

    Purchased after midday on matchday

    • Adult – £20
    • Concession – £15
    • Under 18 – £7
    • Under 12  – Free

    How to buy

    CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR TICKET!

    Travel

    By Car – Leave the M56 at junction nine and join the M6 Northbound. Exit at junction 27 from the M6 and join the A49, followed by the B5251. This will lead to Duke Street on which Victory Park is located.

    By Train – Chorley is accessible on the train via a connection at either Manchester Oxford Road or Preston. Service to Manchester Oxford Road are scheduled to run every hour, whilst services to Preston via Warrington Bank Quay run at a rate of approximately two an hour. Chorley train station is located just 0.5 miles from Victory Park.

    We hope to see you there. UTS!