Chorley boss Andy Preece thrilled by remarkable win against Merthyr - now wants to build on it against Southport
Andy Preece admits he feared the worst on Saturday after his Chorley team slipped 2-0 behind at promotion hopefuls Merthyr Town inside the opening 25 minutes at Penydarren Park.
Having picked up just three wins in their previous 20 outings in all competitions, the Magpies were facing up to the prospect of another difficult afternoon against the National League North’s highest goal scorers.
However, the visitors responded in emphatic fashion, pulling level before the interval courtesy of goals from Warren Clarke and Ang Popoola.
The second half was a more cagey affair but it was the Magpies who found the winner in stoppage when Tom Carr raced clear and finished superbly.
It gave Chorley their first win on the road since the opening month of the season and sent the travelling fans into raptures.
While upset with the manner in which Chorley found themselves behind in the first half, Preece was thrilled by the way his side fought back and felt, on the balance, they were worthy winners.
"Outside of those couple of mad moments, we were very good,” said Preece. “It was a deserved win.
"We’ve deserved more out of (previous) games than we have got but we haven’t been ruthless enough.
"But on Saturday we got our just rewards because at 2-0 down and with the way things have gone in the last few games; we’ve had a few lads injured; a few lads playing out of position; they just showed what they are about.
"They will not give up, they will fight for the shirt.”
The win saw the Magpies move to 14th in the table – 10 points clear of the relegation zone, but seven behind the play-off positions.
This evening they welcome derby rivals Southport to Victory Park. The Sandgrounders sit just outside the drop zone but have had some good results in recent weeks, most notably beating second-placed AFC Fylde 1-0 at Mill Farm in the FA Trophy fifth round.
"Southport will be a really difficult game,” said Preece. “They have done really well, got on a bit of a roll of not losing too many games.
"It's a local derby and one which everybody can look forward to.”
On Saturday, the Magpies are at home once again as they entertain Radcliffe.