Cup holders Chorley eye record 17th cup victory

The Magpies lifted the title for the 16th time in their history last year and now face lower league opposition Colne in the semi-final at the County Ground on Wednesday.

Chorley’s Mark Ross says reaching the final is a huge priority but the defender is not underestimating the North West Counties Premier Division title hopefuls.

He said: “We have played games similar to this one this season against similar level teams in the cup, and we are ready.

“We won’t underestimate them, but we really want to get to the final again and we are in form.

“The cup is a priority and we are looking forward to the game.

“Our manager Matt Jansen wants some silverware, and the way in which we have done it in the past is that when we have won something we have kicked on.”

The Magpies bounced back from 2-0 down to beat rivals AFC Fylde 3-2 at Victory Park last Tuesday and moved up to 10th in the National League North table.

And Ross says that after Saturday’s game at Gloucester was called off, the lads are raring to go and build on that magnificent Fylde win.

He said: “Because of the way we have been playing and the way in which we beat Fylde, the lads are full of confidence. We were all quite upset that the Gloucester game was called off we were ready for it.

“It was frustrating. All the guys were mentally prepared for the game but we will keep that mentality and take it into the game tomorrow night and the next league game.

“There is a good atmosphere around the club at the moment.

“We have been doing all the right things but sometimes not getting the right results now we are starting to get the results.

“Hopefully we can build on the result against Fylde, do well in the cup and keep climbing up the league table.”