Match Preview | Chorley v Oxford City
A midweek trip to the Red Rose county.
Oxford City travel North once again in the hope of some football as they face Chorley at the Grant Store Victory Park in the Vanarama National League North.
The sides met earlier in the season and the game was covered in controversy as Corie Andrews received a second yellow card for walking off the pitch too slowly. It ended 2-2 as Chorley made a second half comeback.
The combination of Chorley’s home form and City’s away form promises this will be an enticing encounter.
It’s been two weeks since City last played, and Ross Jenkins and the players are desperate to get back to playing. Chorley have played twice in that period, both of which were at home.
FIXTURE DETAILS
Chorley v Oxford City
Victory Park – Tuesday 21st January – 7:45pm
Vanarama National League North
Referee: Ashley Clarke Assitant Referees: Joseph Larkin & Craig Thompson Fourth Official: Simon Kavanagh
FORM
OXFORD CITY - D W W L W
City began the new year with a defeat to Brackley Town but quickly got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 win in the FA Trophy over Biggleswade Town.
However, their five-game unbeaten run to close out 2024 has put the Hoops in 4th place in the form table.
City’s away form has been hit-and-miss as of late with back-to-back defeats against Buxton and Chester followed by a good raw against Darlington and rounded off with a smash-and-grab victory over Rushall Olympic on Boxing Day.
City have scored in all their last five away games in the league and will certainly be looking to continue that run on the weekend.
CHORLEY - W L W D L
With just one win in the league in their last five games Chorley have stumbled slightly and now find themselves in 7th, the final playoff position.
Their home record tells a different story as the Magpies have only lost once in their last five at Victory Park and twice in the entire season.
Chorley’s last game came at home to Scunthorpe where they were able to hang on to secure a hard-fought point and keep themselves in contention for a playoff spot.
The form table suggests this should be an exciting game with both sides having picked up 14 points from the last 10 games.
ONE TO WATCH - Mike Calveley
Calveley signed for Chorley at the beginning of the 2020/21 season, where he contributed to an exceptional run in the FA Cup, beating Wigan in the first round, Peterborough United in the second and Derby County in the third.
Calveley started out at Port Vale and signed a professional contract after winning the club’s Youth Player of the Year award. He made three appearances in the Football League before moving on to Curzon Ashton.
At Port Vale, Calveley earned a reputation for being a competitor, playing direct football and looking to break the lines.
He scored seven league goals last season, his most prolific of his career and so far, this season he’s already bagged five, with the most recent coming during the weekend’s draw with Scunthorpe.
THE MANAGER - Andy Preece
Former Premier League forward, Preece was appointed as Chorley’s manager in May 2022 after serving as the club’s director of football.
He began his career at Worcester City, before taking time out of the game. He then signed for Wrexham in 1990.
In 1991, he moved to Stockport County and enjoyed his most prolific period of his career, scoring 42 in 97 league games and earning himself a move to Premier League Crystal Palace.
Preece began his managerial career as player-manager for Bury and in April 2023, celebrated his 750th games as a manager.
LAST TIME OUT
Last time out, there was a dramatic 2-2 draw at the MGroup Stadium as Oxford City were undone by a bizarre refereeing decision.
Watch the highlights below.
HOW TO FOLLOW
FOLLOW THE ACTION:
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There's also LIVE commentary on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website via BBC Radio Oxford.
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