Chorley boss issues FA Cup warning

4:46pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

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Chorley have received a double tonic before Saturday's FA Cup clash in the form of a welcome first league win, at Radcliffe on Monday, and the return of captain Kieran Fletcher - but manager Tony Hesketh has issued a warning not to underestimate opponents Atherton LR.

Atherton LR, who started life as Laburnum Rovers in the 1950s, are currently 17th in the North West Counties Premier Division.

They will be the visitors to the Chorley Nissan Victory Park Stadium in the preliminary round, having knocked out South Yorkshire side Dinnington Town 2-1 away from home on August 16.

There will be a cash bonus of £1,500 for the winners, who will visit Lancaster City or UniBond newcomers Salford City in the first qualifying round on September 13, when a further £3,000 will be up for grabs, with the chance of doubling their money in the second qualifier.

Hesketh said: “There’s a giantkiller in almost every round of the FA Cup, especially early in the competition – and we don’t want it to be Atherton LR. We can’t afford to underestimate any team from lower down the scale.

“We are building some consistency into the side and the boys worked really hard to beat Radcliffe Borough on Monday. This performance followed a superb second-half at Woodley in the previous game when we lost to an early goal.

“It was good to have Kieran back after his ankle injury and he did well for us in midfield. Radcliffe came back at us and we were glad to have Zac Jones in top form in goal.”

Jordan Goodeve gave Chorley the lead at Radcliffe on 19 minutes, seizing a chance after home keeper Greg Hall spilled Martin Clark’s long free kick. Chorley’s second came in the 76th minute, when Danny Nolan backheeld, the ball to full-back Rob Henry who scored with an angled shot in off the far post.

The Magpies defence had to withstand late Radcliffe pressure after substitute Steve Howson reduced the arrears 20 minutes from the end. Jones saved well at Howson’s feet and in stoppage time tipped a point-blank header over the bar.