Play-Off Preview: Chorley v Harriers
May 3, 2017

Play-Off Preview: Chorley v Harriers

Harriers begin their play-off challenge this evening with a trip north to take on Chorley.

John Eustace hopes to have James McQuilkin back after he missed Saturday's win over Bradford Park Avenue along with Elton Ngwatala who had to come off in the first half of that game with injury.  Josh Ezewele, who has missed the last three games through injury, will again miss out.  Returning to the squad are the players who have been out on loan now that their clubs' seasons have ended which should give the boss a few more options to change the side if he wants.

Chorley crept into the play-offs thanks to Darlington's ineligibility and Gloucester's late equaliser at Stockport County on Saturday.  Nonetheless, they go into the game in good form; Saturday's defeat at the hands of Halifax was their first in six games having won three and drawn two of the previous five.  Manager Matt Jansen will be without the suspended Jack Sampson who is serving a three-game ban and will miss the second leg, too; on the injury front Stephen Jordan and Ritchie Branagan are both unlikely to miss out.

So far this season the clubs have met twice with Harriers yet to win, drawing 0-0 at Aggborough and losing 2-1 at Victory Park.  Harriers don't have a great record against Chorley, with just two wins and a draw from the six games played.

I expect Harriers to line-up as follows (4-3-3): Hornby; Williams, Francis-Angol, Lowe, Tunnicliffe; Croasdale, McQuilkin, Ngwatala; Nti, Ironside, Gnahoua.
Subs (from): Austin, A. Brown, Carter, Clarke, Dieseruvwe, Digie, Forsyth, Hancocks, Hodgkiss, Knights, A. Palmer, Sonupe, Taylor, Thomas, Truslove, Waite, Webb.
Missing (injured): Ezewele.
Missing (on-loan): J. Brown, T. Palmer, Sweeney.

Tonight's referee will be Marc Edwards from Durham who will be taking charge of a Harriers game for the first time.

This evening's weather is forecast to be mostly clear with a temperature of 13°C and no chance of rain.