Victory Park, Chorley
Perhaps buoyed by their opponents’ suspect recent form – having failed to win any of their last six Premier League games – or the fact they beat Wolves 3-0 when the sides last met, in the FA Cup first round back in 1986, the Magpies produced a soaring display at Victory Park.
They would have fully deserved an equaliser, and came closest to snatching one when Andy Halls’ header was acrobatically tipped over the bar with 30 minutes remaining, but Vitinha’s world-class piledriver from 35 yards ultimately proved just enough for the visitors.
In an archetypal David-versus-Goliath Emirates FA Cup tie, Chorley’s part-time side included captain Scott Leather booking the day off from his job as a lift engineer to focus on the match and manager Jamie Vermiglio momentarily taking a break from his duties as a primary school headteacher.
Chorley had started positively. In 1986 they stunned a then Fourth Division Wolves in a first-round replay and they may have harboured hopes of an even greater upset as they tried to take the game to the visitors.
Harry Cardwell set off on a charge down the right inside the first minute to tee up Elliot Newby, but Ruddy comfortably dealt with his shot.
Wolves soon settled and, although Chorley were quick and strong into the challenges, looked comfortable on the ball.
Coady created an early opening with a long ball from deep which led to Patrick Cutrone having a shot blocked.
Non-league Chorley advance to FA Cup fourth round for first time ever
They beat a Derby side that were without their entire first team due to an outbreak of Covid-19. By Press Association Saturday 9 Jan 2021, 2:18 PM Jan 9th 2021, 2:18 PM 5,340 Views 1 Comment
Chorley. s Connor Hall (centre) celebrates scoring his side s first goal
Image: PA
Image: PA
NON-LEAGUE Chorley claimed an unlikely place in the FA Cup fourth round as they proved too strong for a youthful Derby side in an extraordinary tie.
Connor Hall and Mike Calveley were the men on target as the National League North side claimed a 2-0 victory in what was theoretically an upset on a freezing afternoon in Lancashire.
Chorley 2-0 Derby: Non-league side beat makeshift Rams in FA Cup
Last updated on
comments
446
Derby County s stand-in boss Pat Lyons said his decimated side were unable to pull off a fairytale as they lost to National League North side Chorley.
A Covid-19 outbreak meant the Championship club were without their entire first-team squad, boss Wayne Rooney and most of their under-23 side.
They fell behind when Connor Hall headed in from close range.
Chorley wrapped up victory six minutes from time when Mike Calveley stretched to divert Elliot Newby s cross home.
Nine of Derby s starting 11 were making senior debuts and the team had an average age of just 19.