Non-League: Chorley’s Playoff Tussle and A New Dawn for AFC Fylde

Chorley lost 2-0 to Spennymoor Town in midweek and the Magpies face another difficult task this weekend when Southport make the visit.

The game will be a proverbial ‘six-pointer’ as both teams are level on points with 48 to their name. 

The midweek defeat to the Moors was the first defeat at home for Chorley since August 14, who also will be without defender Harvey Smith for the visit of Southport due to him being given a straight red.

Manager Jamie Vermiglio, who took charge of his 150th Chorley game on Tuesday, will be looking for revenge as the Sandgrounders beat his team earlier on in the season in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in a replay at Haig Avenue.

The only goal of that tie was scored in spectacular fashion by former-Magpie striker Marcus Carver.

Elsewhere, AFC Fylde make the journey to Aggborough with newly-appointed James Rowe making his debut as manager. 

The former gaffer of Chesterfield and Gloucester City will be looking for a vital victory against Kidderminster, who sit just above them in the table.

He takes over from Jim Bentley, the manager since October 2019, who was sacked last Friday.

During the reverse fixture back in September, the Coasters managed to come away with all three points. 

Nick Haughton scored for the home side before Joe Foulkes equalised for Harriers.

The game looked to be heading for a stalemate until Stephen Dobbie unleashed a thunderbolt with five minutes left on the clock to snatch the win at Mill Farm.