Jansen is backing Jordan to flourish

Match action from Chorley's 3-2 win over derby rivals AFC FyldeMatch action from Chorley's 3-2 win over derby rivals AFC Fylde
Match action from Chorley's 3-2 win over derby rivals AFC Fylde
Chorley boss Matt Jansen has backed Jordan Connerton to kick on after the striker opened his account in the Magpies sensational 3-2 comeback against AFC Fylde on Tuesday.

Connerton scored five times in 12 appearances for the Magpies back in the 2008-09 season but the former Crewe Alexandra player has had to wait before scoring his first goal in black and white since returning to Victory Park on Christmas Eve.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After top scorer Josh Hine left to join Salford and with hit-man James Dean sidelined with an ankle injury for another month, Jansen has had to change his forward line

He has opted to give Connerton the opportunity to build a partnership with in-form forward Darren Stephenson.

A late deadline day bid from an unnamed League Two club for Stephenson was batted away by the club and Jansen says he is still hunting for a replacement for Hine.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “Jordan is a proven goalscorer. He isn’t a target man, he likes to get into gaps and we have changed the way we play at the moment with him up front with Darren and it has been working.

“We are like any team in any division and any team in any league – getting players does not happen overnight.

“We turned down a bid for Daz and at the moment we have a bunch of great footballing players together that can pass the ball around the pitch and that is how I want to play.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Jansen in still on cloud nine after Chorley’s great comeback against the promotion chasing Coasters at Victory Park.

The Magpies were 2-0 down within the opening nine minutes but battled back to earn all three points and climbed up to 10th in the National League North table.

Jansen felt his men thoroughly deserved victory and will take confidence into tomorrow’s game at Gloucester City.

He said: “It was a brilliant result.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We started slowly and they had two, maybe three chances and they scored twice.

“The atmosphere was tense but the lads showed all the character they have to get it back and turn it around.

“It was a very pleasing victory.

“All season-long we have played like that, dominating teams but not getting the right results.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We have been playing well for the last 10 or so games, it is not a one-off.

“We have a bunch of winnable games coming up and hopefully we can build on this result at Gloucester City tomorrow.”

Captain Andy Teague – who is celebrating his 30th birthday today -– is hoping for a belated birthday present of three points at Gloucester.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And after gunning down Fylde, Teague has one eye on the play-offs.

He said: “In some games we have been doing well for 80 minutes and then in the latter stages letting it slip – it was the opposite against Fylde.

“After we scored that first goal I knew we could go on and win it.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But every credit to our keeper Sam Ashton – he made a vital double save to stop them equalising.

“After the game all of the lads were buzzing. It was a great comeback.

“Fylde are in the running for the title and so to beat them and play the way we played shows the level we are at. It will be a hard game at Gloucester but every game is a cup final from now on.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Meanwhile, AFC Fylde continue their quest towards the holy grail of Wembley when they travel to Gateshead tomorrow in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.

And manager Dave Challinor is upbeat about the chances of pulling off a shock against the National League side.

Gateshead are well established and will be hard to beat on their home ground, having produced a solid performance to beat Grimsby Town 1-0 last Saturday before drawing 0-0 with Barrow on Tuesday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manager Dave Challinor said: “It will be a tough game, but one that we are looking forward to, pitting ourselves against a team who are, if you like, a premier non-league side.

“We will be going up there looking to put on a performance.

“We had someone watching Gateshead’s match with Barrow and the weather seemed to have a big effect on the game - both teams were playing direct and low-risk

“It is up to us to set Gateshead a different set of challenged and cause them problems going forward.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the National League, Southport are away to derby rivals Tranmere Rovers as they look for their first win in four.

In the NPl First Division North, Burscough host in-form Farsley Celtic and Clitheroe welcome New Mills to Shawbridge. Kendal Town are at home to Glossop.