AFTER an enforced break caused by Guiseley being involved in the FA Trophy, Chorley are back in the UniBond First Division fray on Saturday.
They travel to Shildon aiming to complete a league double over Bishop Auckland, whom they defeated 2-1 at Victory Park in December.
Chorley play holders Leigh RMI at home in the next round of the Marsden Lancashire FA Trophy on January 27.
Last week saw the Magpies win a dramatic victory over Kendal in the second round thanks to the goalkeeping heroics of Danny Mills.
In the penalty shoot-out to decide the tie he saved a penalty, having taken the gloves from the injured Paul Eatock midway through the second half, before scoring himself from the spot to help the Magpies to 5-4 victory.
Glenn Gelder has resumed his role running the Chorley Academy side with assistance from Adam Critchley and Paul McConville.
Gelder said: "Due to the fact that the youth squad was depleted when a large number moving up into the reserves following the departure of several players, the academy will use the rest of the season to recruit, develop and build a team for next season.
"The players and parents are aware of this and, as such, results from now until the end of the season are not important. What is important is that next season the club will have a youth team able to compete with the best and a squad that can cope with having to provide players for the reserve side."
Glenn said the club had a number of 16-year-olds with the potential to go all the way with the Magpies and rather than disband the youth section, players and parents had agreed with this course of action.
He added that he was grateful for their commitment and understanding.
The academy players now train in the Astley Park Fitness Centre on Tuesday nights and Rangletts recreation ground on Thursday nights.
Andy Mason scored for Chorley Reserves in a 3-2 defeat at home to Leigh RMI on Saturday.
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