CHORLEY'S management team of Shaun Teale and Ray Stafford are looking forward to taking on new opposition when Heybridge Swifts visit Victory Park on Saturday.

Player-boss Teale had hoped for a pre-season match against Accrington Stanley, but because the Conference club's fixture programme was full they suggested that the Essex outfit, who had also asked Stanley for a game, would be a suitable alternative as Swifts would be in the north west this weekend.

Teale said: "It will be an interesting fixtures as we don't know them and they don't know us."

He added that he was pleased to snap up experienced central defender Martin Clarke, one of five Lancaster City players released in a cost-cutting exercise at Giant Axe.

He said: "Martin and I played together at Southport and I feel his pace and sharpness will help us."

Clarke was in Chorley's side beaten 5-1 at home by Willenhall Town on Saturday when the consolation goal came from an Anthony Bowe free kick late on.

The Magpies were 3-0 down at the interval and a late penalty conceded by young keeper Scott Moore completed the visitors' total. The defeat, at the hands of a Willenhall team out to avenge last season's double whammy from Chorley, gave Teale and Stafford more food for thought with Leigh RMI visiting Victory Park last night (Tuesday).

Speaking after the match Teale said: "We'll always learn more by playing tough sides pre-season and we have a good idea what our formation will be when we start the season in a couple of weeks."

Gary Martindale scored twice and Liverpool youngster Andy Olsen once in Chorley's 4-4 draw with Vauxhall Motors away from home on Thursday, with an own goal making up the scoresheet.