Chorley target first league win of season at Sandgrounders

The Magpies have won two and lost two from their opening four games – both victories arriving in the FA Cup, while the defeats have been in the National League North.

Vermiglio admits he would probably have preferred the scenario to be the other way around.

However, progress in the cup – and the significant financial rewards which come with it – are certainly something the manager values.

Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over York City – a result which saw them exact revenge on a 3-1 loss on the Minstermen the previous week – put nearly £6,000 into the club’s coffers and they have been handed a bye into the first round proper.

The fact that both wins in the cup came against NL North opposition has indicated to Vermiglio that his new-look, youthful team will soon post their first three points of the season.

“The points on the board are probably more important than a good cup run,” said Vermiglio.

“But at the same time the financial rewards which come with a cup run is something that we really need at this moment in time.

“So my feelings are a little bit mixed.

“We have come up against three sides in Gateshead, York and Gloucester City who are all full-time and are well-backed, so we are probably not going to get many tougher challenges than what we have had in these first few games.

“I am obviously not happy with the way we have started in the league but delighted with the wins in the FA Cup.”

This weekend, the Magpies travel to near neighbours Southport where Vermiglio will go head-to-head in the dugout with experienced campaigner Liam Watson.

On the pitch, there will be a few familiar faces in the shape of ex-Magpies stars Marcus Carver and Matt Challoner.

“Liam is an experienced manager,” said Vermiglio. “He’s been around the leagues for a long time. I speak to him quite a bit. He knows his stuff.

“I have had some really strong reports on Southport this season.

“They are a very energetic side which play quite expansive, attacking type of football.

“The system that they play is 3-4-3 and three up top are out-and-out forwards.

“So they do take the game to the opposition.

“It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be difficult. They do all those bitty things well as you would expect from one of Liam’s teams. They have got some experienced players, they’ve taken both Carver and Challoner off us.

“I would fully expect them to be in the top half of the table and pushing on.”

Elsewhere, AFC Fylde host Kettering Town.