- Team form: Barton Town, who currently sit in the top-six of the 2026-27 Northern Counties East League Premier Division, are a decent proposition at 6.95 to pull an upset at home.
- Head-to-head: Barton Town FC and Chorley have no prior competitive H2H record.
Barton can nick this if they stay compact
Barton Town FC come into this contest with plenty of goals in their heads after registering 12 of them in their last four competitive matches across all competitions. Town have played two games since their Second Qualifying Round win over Boldmere St Michaels and, on the back of a 4-0 win at Pickering Town and 3-1 victory at Golcar United, they look capable of pulling an upset against National League opponents.
Anthony Bowsley's team are a lively, direct and combative unit who play with width and look to cause chaos in the second-ball situation. The Swans have made a great start to the season and they should have enough to trouble Chorley here, especially as they have the momentum of an FA Cup run to keep them sharp.
Barton's top scorer in the cup so far is Joe Wood, who hit a brace against Boldmere St Michaels in their 3-1 Second Qualifying Round win. He looks the most likely man to score at home to Chorley on Saturday.
Chorley capable of hurting the home team
Style of play:
Chorley, who are 10th-12th in the 2026-27 National League North with about 11-14 points from their first eight games, are a much more structured and tactical team than Barton. Andy Preece's men are a tidy side who can play football, press with tempo and look to strike from wide areas and dead-ball situations. The Magpies also have a bit of bite in their play and are capable of scoring in waves if this game opens up in the latter stages.
Key players:
- Jack Hazlehurst is the main box threat for Chorley and is the side's top-scorer so far this season.
- Aidan Rutledge gives them another dimension going forward while Mike Calveley, Elliott Taylor and Jack Sampson should ensure that Chorley are not just a one-dimensional team.
- Albie Collier's recent contribution suggests that Barton's goals are not just coming from one source, which makes them difficult to defend against.
Barton can pull an surprise in a tight game
Bowsley's men are a direct, set-piece-driven side, which should make this a very tense contest. There's a real cup upset feel about this game for Barton and the hosts have enough momentum to make Andy Preece's Magpies sweat.
Thomas Waudby brings a steady creativity to the team, Collier and Wood can score and finish off plays and Grant Tait can come on and add some bite to the game. This is a classic cup scenario where Barton can stay in the match if they keep their shape and can make something happen from their set pieces at the Easy Buy Stadium.
