Chorley have squad to cope on all fronts ahead of FA Cup test

Jamie Vermiglio could utilise the full depth of his Chorley squad this weekend when they travel to Peterborough Sports in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup.
Dale Whitham scored in the win over Leek Town in the last round of the FA CupDale Whitham scored in the win over Leek Town in the last round of the FA Cup
Dale Whitham scored in the win over Leek Town in the last round of the FA Cup

In the last round against Leek Town at Victory Park, the Magpies boss gave run-outs to several players who had been on the fringes of things during the early part of the season.

Players like Dale Whitham, Jake Cottrell, Steve Jordan and Adam Anson were handed starts while young Jordan Lussey – signed from Bolton – came on as a substitute in the second half.

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The team had too much for Leek and enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 victory – and Vermiglio admitted he will have no qualms about giving his fringe players another chance against Peterborough, who are two levels below them in the football pyramid.

In fact, the Chorley boss hates to use the word ‘fringe’, believing all of his players are capable of holding down a first-team spot in their own right. “It was good to give players like Jake, Dale, Steve and Adam some minutes under their belts, but I don’t see them as fringe players, so I don’t like using that word.

“I just see it as a strong squad – lads who have maybe not had as many opportunities as other players.

“I said to them before the game, the most difficult decision for a manager is to leave players out and I said to them before the game to make it hard for me.”

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Despite the fact that Chorley are riding high at the top of the National League North, the FA Cup is a high priority for the Magpies.

Last year’s run to the first-round proper where they were ultimately beaten by Fleetwood Town 2-1 live on television earned the club a six-figure sum.

And as Vermiglio knows full well, winning becomes a habit and he does not want to be interrupted this weekend.

“As we all know winning breeds confidence, so we want to win every game we play no matter what the competition is,”he said. “I think Peterborough will be a bigger test for us than Leek.”