Magpies boss proud of men after a hard-fought point at Merthyr
Magpies take on Brackley Town at Victory Park on bank holiday Monday
Chorley boss Andy Preece could not fault the attitude of his team after they battled to a 1-1 draw at Merthyr Town on Saturday.
The Magpies looked on course for a fine victory on the road courtesy of a superb header from Warren Clarke after superb delivery from the right by Adam Henley.
The hosts’ pressure in the second half eventually told as they equalised in the 83rd minute courtesy of neat run and finish from Ellis Watts.
Merthyr certainly peppered the visitors’ goal at times, but it certainly was not all one way traffic with Magpies striker Elliot Taylor proving to be a constant thorn in the hosts’ backline.
He went close on a couple of occasions and in the end a draw was probably the fair result.
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“It was a real big effort again by the lads,” Preece told Chorley FC TV. “You know when you come here you’re going to have to defend for long periods because they move the ball really well.
“They keep the ball, they are brave, they play in tight areas and move you from side to side.
“They try to go down the middle, they try to drag you out, they play one-twos, they pass and move.
“They test you all the time and you have to keep your concentration.
“We knew at times, we would have to get big blocks in, rely on Li-Bau Stowell to make the odd save.
“We needed a bit of luck and we probably got that on occasions, but we also knew that if our shape was right, when we won the ball back if we could find a bit of quality in our first and second passes, we will create chances ourselves.
“We did that, we had plenty of chances ourselves. We could have scored more in the first half.
“In the second half we had opportunities, the goalkeeper has made a couple of really good saves.
“So it wasn’t total backs-to-the-wall performance. Merthyr force you to defend that little bit deeper but I couldn’t ask for any more from the lads.
“They were fantastic on transition and showed some quality. The goal that we scored was absolutely top drawer but there goal was too. It was a great finish.”
The Magpies are back in action on bank holiday Monday when they host Brackley Town at Victory Park (kick-off 3pm).
Preece’s men sit in 10th spot after picking up seven points from their opening five games, while Brackley are down in 18th, albeit they have played a game less.
“We know what a good side Brackley Town are,” said Preece. “They have been promoted out of this league.
“Looking at it, it’s another tough game but they’re all tough.”