A Manchester United XI will play Chorley at Victory Park this evening.
Scott: How did Chorley get on last season?
Richard: Sadly last season wasn’t the best. We had missed out on the play-offs after a poor run between October to February. We had some great result such a 5-4 win over Stocksbridge Park Steel on the opening day of the season after being 4-2 with 20 minutes to play. Other highs 3-1 win over FC United Of Manchester and a 1-0 win away at AFC Fylde with a 90 minute goal from Adam Roscoe. Lows losing 6-1 to Rushall Olympic at home, 1-0 loss away to Stafford and 3-2 loss to Ashton United.
But the two seasons previous to last season under Garry Flitcroft were better. We won promotion via the play-offs in 2011 and then in 2012 we won the Lancashire Co-Operative Challenge Trophy beating Kendal Town 2-1 at the Reebok. A great night and we had over 2,000 fans in our end that night.
S: What is the average attendance for home games?
R: It can push for 800 but last season with our poor form it dipped to 500/600, but that still put us 2nd or 3rd highest supported club in the Evo-stik Premier Division last season and it is something all Chorley fans are proud of.
S: Which club do most locals in Chorley follow?
R: Varies really most either support Blackburn, Bolton or Preston North End.
S: Which Chorley players should we keep an eye on?
R: I haven’t been to our games yet this season due to a work placement in Wimbledon, a 2-0 loss to Preston North End and 2-1 loss to a Bolton Wanderers Xl. But from what I am told the lads are doing well in pre-season. But from what my fellow supporters have told me the two new lads Carlos Roca and Jake Cotterall have done well thus far. They both joined the Magpies from FC United in the summer. Jake, you may recall scored FC United’s second goal in their 3-2 win over Rochdale in FA Cup.
In terms of the team from last season Darren Stephenson will be a handful for the defenders, Adam Roscoe was our best player last season by a country mile and never says never during a game. If fit Jamie Vermgilio can run the midfield for Chorley with Tom Baker. While our captain and defender Andy Teague is a key player and as the Chorley fans sing- he will take us to the football league.
S: Predictions for the game?
R: Well pre-season isn’t about the results but fitness. If we get a loss by one goal or a draw I will be happy. But if we steal a win I will be delighted.
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