Its matchday 13 for Merthyr Town in the Enterprise National League North as they travel to 6th placed Chorley FC. The Martyrs enter this fixture following a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Kidderminster on Tuesday night and Paul Micheal will be hoping that his side can put right the wrongs from the clash and pick the 3 points away from home. The hosts Chorley come into this fixture sitting in 6th place just 5 points ahead of the Martyrs, but their last fixture ended up in a 1-1 draw away to 23rd placed Southport FC despite taking the lead just after half time.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | KEY STAFF

Manager | Andy Preece

Assistant Manager | Chris Anderson

Manager Andy Preece joined 'The Magpies' in May 2022 following a four-year spell as assistant manager and director of football at the club. However, in his playing days Preece played over 500 professional games as a centre forward for the likes of Worchester, Wrexham, Stockport County, Crystal Palace, Blackpool, Bury and Carlise United. Andy Preece's management and coaching career started in 1999 as he was appointed player-manager of Bury FC, and he stayed there until December 2003 as the League Two side released him due to financial reasons. Then in 2005 Preece was once again a player-manager but this time for Worcester FC. He was there until October 2007 after leading the side to three consecutive top ten finishes in the Conference North (National League North) and a successful cup run that saw them reach the second round of the FA Cup. Following his departure from Worcester FC, Preece then picked up the roles of manager at Northwich Victoria in 2009 and then in 2012 he put pen to paper for Welsh side, Airbus UK Broughton. His time at Airbus saw him participate in the Europa League for two consecutive seasons. After Andy Preece departed the Welsh side in 2016, he then joined National League side Southport in February 2017 until the end of the season. Following the conclusion of the 2016/17 season Preece was then appointed as the head coach of PVF Football Academy in Vietnam. After a spell coaching in Vietnam, Preece moved into the role of Director of Football at Chorley prior to being appointed as manager of Chorley in May 2022.

Assistant Manager Chris Anderson joined 'The Magpies' following a three-year spell as manager of AFC Liverpool in the Northwest Counties League to partner and support manager Andy Preece. Anderson playing career took place at club such as Morecambe FC, Lancaster City, Squires Gate and Clitheroe.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | SEASON SO FAR

Chorley started their campaign away from home where they travelled to Darlington. The five-goal thriller saw 'The Magpies' come out victorious in a 3-2 victory despite an early red card. Andy Preece's side then went on a magnificent run to begin the season picking up 4 wins and 1 draw in their first 5 league games. Notable victories from this run of form are a 3-0 win against Chester and a 4-0 thrashing of King's Lynn Town. However, 'The Magpies' then lost 2 consecutive games with a 2-0 defeat away to Leamington and a 2-0 defeat at Curzon Ashton. Despite this, Chorley bounced back with 2 straight home wins with a 3-1 victory against AFC Telford United and a 3-2 win against Macclesfield following a 95th minute winner from Harvey Smith. Since the beginning of October Chorley are yet to pick up a victory after a 2-0 defeat to South Shields, a narrow 3-2 loss to Buxton and draws against Oxford City and Southport FC respectively. This start of the season sees 'The Magpies' sit in 6th place with 21 points from their first 13 league games and Andy Preece will be looking to pick up his 7th win of the season against Merthyr Town. The top goal scorer for Chorley so far this season in the league is Craig Hewitt who has scored an impressive 6 goals so far this season.

KNOW YOUR OPPONENT | 2025/26 SQUAD

Goalkeepers | Matt Urwin, Ollie Green, Kier Barry

Defenders | Adam Henley, Mark Ellis, Scott Wilson, Harvey Smith, Adam Blakeman, Jack Moore, Sam Bird

Midfielders | Joe Nolan, Mike Calveley, George Horbury, Warren Clarke, Craig Hewitt, Tom Walker, Billy Whitehouse, Milan Lalkovic, Ben Layton, Noel Brindle

Forwards | Jack Sampson, Harry Ibbitson, Sonny Reeves, Tom Carr, Kole Hall

MATCH DETAILS

Date | Saturday 25th October 2025

Competition | Enterprise National League North

Time | 15:00

Stadium | Victory Park