AFC Telford
vs
Chorley
Match Preview
"Bucks aiming to pinch points from Magpies"
Match Date : February 17th, 2026 7:45 pm
Competition : National League North
Ground : New Bucks Head
Kick Off : 19:45
The Bucks are back at the SEAH Stadium this Tuesday, when Chorley will be the visitors.
The Magpies have been a fixture at the top end of the National League North for much of the last decade. Playoff winners in 2018/19, Chorley made an immediate return to Step 2 after finishing rock bottom of the National League Premier in the Covid-affected 2019/20 campaign. The Magpies have finished in the playoff places in three of the four seasons since then, placing 5th last term before losing 4-2 to Scunthorpe United in the playoff semi final.
After a good start to the current campaign, Chorley’s form fell off alarmingly as they endured a 10-game winless run (eight games in the league) as autumn set in. While their form has stabilised since, the Magpies have been very inconsistent in recent months, and they currently sit in 14th on 41 points from 31 games.
The man at the helm of the Lancashire club is vastly experienced manager Andy Preece. Having managed a number of different sides during his career, Preece then spent four years as the Magpies’ assistant manager and Director of Football before taking on the manager’s job in May 2022.
Under Preece, Chorley have been particularly good on home soil. The Magpies have picked up 51 points at Victory Park in each of the last two seasons, and have the 6th-best record in the league this campaign. Preece’s side tends to struggle on the road, though. Chorley have picked up 13 points from 14 away games this season, with only the current bottom four and sixth-bottom Peterborough Sports faring less well on their travels.
The Magpies are not short on goals, but they are spread throughout the team. Midfielder Mike Calvely and forward Jack Sampson all have five goals apiece, while attackers Tom Carr and Harry Ibbotson have six. Star man, left winger Craig Hewitt, who caused the Bucks plenty of trouble at Victory Park in September, had hit six goals in 13 games before leaving for York City at the start of November.
Preece’s side ran out 3-1 winners when the sides met in Lancashire earlier this season. Both sides are in rather different form now though, and the Bucks have won the last two encounters between the teams at the SEAH Stadium.
The Bucks have not lost a league game at the SEAH Stadium since 4 November, and Wilkin’s men will be looking to make home advantage count again as they aim to strengthen their playoff push.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Tickets are available online in advance, or from the ticket office on matchday. Please note that a £1 admin charge applies for adults and concessions when buying on matchday.
