Can Posh turn the heat up on Chorley FC as they look to put any suggestions of a winter slump behind them?

Peterborough United entertain Chorley this coming Saturday with the Northern National League side making it to the second round of the FA Cup for only the third time in the club’s 137-year history.

Unbeaten since their last round exploits, there’ll be no room for complacency from Darren Ferguson’s side when kick-off arrives.

Jamie Vermiglio’s men will be buoyed by their heroics against Wigan in the previous round as they seek to add another League One scalp to their name. Coming back from a goal deficit, Callum Hall’s injury-time winner will live long in the club’s memory as they overcame the League One side 3-2 in a dramatic afternoon at the DW Stadium.

Vermiglio will have gone down in Chorley folklore long before that famous recent win, however. Masterminding Chorley’s march towards the National League in recent seasons, the 38-year-old made over 200 appearances for the club as a player. Having retired, Vermiglio took on a variety of roles in the backroom set up before taking over from Matt Jansen as manager in June 2018.

Currently sitting 20th in English football’s sixth tier, their cup exploits have unsurprisingly given The Magpies a much-needed confidence boost. Despite struggling at the foot of the table, Chorley haven’t lost since the Wigan game and recorded their first win of the season against Telford United with Elliot Newby’s winning goal and his third of the campaign.

Whilst The Magpies did well to salvage a point against Hereford last Saturday, they’ll be rueing conceding a last-minute equaliser having turned the game on its head, as they were trailing 1-0 going into the final ten minutes.

Image: Stephen Niblett

With a taste of success still on their lips, there’s a no more dangerous commodity in the armoury for a lower league side to possess going into a potential giant-killing tie.

“Considering the start to the season we’ve had, and to get then get a little bit of momentum we’ve had in the last three or four games is great. To draw Peterborough as the highest ranking team still in the FA Cup is massive. It’s the FA Cup, it’s the second round and it’s only the third time we’ve been it in our history. The interest, build up and particularly finances is very important to the football club.

“Our lads are up for the fight and up for proving themselves and enjoying the limelight.

“It’s difficult to predict their line up but one things for sure is that they’ll know not to underestimate us. If we prepare well, you never know what can happen in a one off game.”

Whilst Peterborough had been going through a familiar lull in recent weeks after a really positive start to their season, it was a welcome return to winning ways on Tuesday evening as they put Plymouth Argyle to the sword at the Western Homes Stadium.

Having recorded back to back defeats against Crewe Alexandre and Blackpool in their previous outings in the league, it was Peterborough’s first win since defeating Oxford United in the previous round of the cup and will a timely boost for Saturday’s tie and as they rekindle their automatic promotion aspirations.

Thankfully for Posh fans, their team turned the tide with a professional performance in a 1-0 win that probably warranted a more flattering scoreline on refection. Only their inability to finish the game off allowed for a nervier finish in proceedings but in honesty, Peterborough’s rearguard looked more than capable of dealing with what Plymouth could muster.

Starting the game better was the order of the day and Darren Ferguson’s tactics to pin Plymouth back from the kick-off paid dividends. He’ll be looking for a repeat on Saturday to avoid any potential upset with the national TV cameras present and an audience craving for some FA Cup magic.

Creating a host of chances in midweek, Siriki Dembele was the star of the show with his nimble feet, ability to move into space and find players with his vision. Dembele’s individual brilliance at times was almost Maradona-esque until his shooting boots let him down in decisive moments. With five goals and four assists to his name already this season,  if Dembele is in that kind of form once more on Saturday, it will be of most concern to Chorley.

Dembele’s partnership with Jonson Clarke-Harris continues to bear fruits for Peterborough as the striker recorded his sixth goal of the season since his summer move from Bristol Rovers. His well-taken goal was just desserts for his endeavour on the evening. During a fairly bruising 90 minutes, where he eventually limped off meaning he’s a doubt for Saturday’s game, Clarke-Harris showed bravery and strength to hold the ball up and should have had a second goal to his name having missed a better chance than the one he converted from.

Photo: David Lowndes.

Clarke-Harris is a rough diamond in many respects but without a doubt, if he continues to work at his game, there’s no reason why he can’t be another striker to roll off the Peterborough production line along with the likes of Britt Assombalonga, Jack Marriott and Ivan Toney. The Posh seem to have an eye for a decent striker and that superb recruitment has brought in some welcomed funds for the Cambridgeshire club in recent seasons.

Jack Taylor in central midfield was the chief orchestrator of the tempo and with his ability to conduct the play and tenacity in the tackle, it’s not too difficult to see why Peterborough are flying high in the league. Built on a solid defensive pairing with attacking full-backs either side, Darren Ferguson will feel confident that if his side can produce the same appetite and performance levels as they did in midweek, he’ll be confident of seeing Peterborough through to the next round of the draw. 

Ferguson, won’t be any stranger to clubs vying to cause an upset given his experiences as a player at Manchester United. The Scotsman was adamant in his prematch conference that he’ll be picking his strongest side available, mindful of the threat that Chorley will pose:

Whilst Clarke-Harris has been given the all-clear on a more serious-looking ankle injury, he remains a doubt for Posh. They will definitely be without top goals assister, Joe Ward, who underwent surgery this week to remedy a knee problem sustained in last weekend’s defeat to Blackpool.

For Chorley, Harry Cardwell looks set to be missing for The Magpies but new addition Willem Tomlinson may well be involved, having come on as a substitute during the recent draw at Hereford.

Chorley will go into the game as massive underdogs but with £35,000 in the club’s coffers due to their run so far, the pressure is certainly all on Peterborough. Vermiglio knows that his Chorley players will be able to play without pressure and enjoy the occasion once the whistle blows for kick-off.

All eyes will be on The Magpies to see if they can pull off another famous win and be in the hat for Monday evening’s coveted third round draw.

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