HE'S done it again.
Jamie Vermiglio, the Locking Stumps Community Primary School headteacher, has taken non-league Chorley FC to the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 2-0 defeat of Derby County at Victory Park.
And he and his squad were singing their hearts out in the changing rooms in celebration.
Here we go, then - @Adele 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jPhuIvu6dZ
— Chorley FC (@chorleyfc) January 9, 2021
Played behind closed doors, locals sought whatever vantage point they could to get a glimpse of Vermiglio's history makers in action.
All pictures by PA
Whereas The Magpies had pulled off giant-killings at Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United to reach the third round for the first time, a Covid-19 outbreak left Derby having to field a mixture of under 23s and under 18s players in this tie.
With an average age of just 19 and not a single game of first-team experience among them, it was an uphill struggle for the visitors.
But Vermiglio's side, robbed of the chance to go up again Wayne Rooney and his Championship first-team, can only play what's in front of them and goals in each half from Connor Hall and Mike Calveley mean the amazing run and a chance to face a Premier League big gun continues.
Don’t you just love the FA Cup well done Chorley
— Tony Hall (@itstonyhallthfc) January 9, 2021
🏆⚽🔥 https://t.co/Ez8TQaT7D4
Le club de Chorley, qui évolue en National League North (6e division), vient d'éliminer Derby County (et une équipe touchée par le COVID), pensionnaire de Championship en #FACup sur le score de 2-0 !
— Dylan Veerasamy 🇲🇺🇫🇷 (@DylanVeerasamy) January 9, 2021
De quoi fêter cette victoire et qualification sur du ... Adèle ! https://t.co/Mhuj6U1U4q
Such an amazing achievement by @jamievermiglio! Headteacher at @LockiesCPS and taking @chorleyfc into the 4th round of the FA Cup- what an inspirational role model for our local kids 👏 https://t.co/xCrm2F1JBc
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) January 9, 2021
That the game went ahead was remarkable in itself. Quite apart from the coronavirus issue, sub-zero temperatures in Chorley over the past week had forced the sixth-tier side to rent covers to try to prevent their surface from freezing. Their groundsman even camped at the ground in a tent to try to keep the pitch heated overnight.
His efforts proved worthwhile as the Magpies seized the opportunity to make history for their club and took the game to a team they ordinarily might not have been able to compete with.
There was an early flashpoint when Derby’s Cameron Creswell went down in the Chorley area attempting to go round former Bradford goalkeeper Matt Urwin after being played through by Isaac Hutchinson. The Rams felt they should have had a penalty but referee Kevin Friend ruled in Chorley’s favour.
That was a rare moment of alarm for the home team, who soon established themselves as the stronger side.
Their approach may have been direct but it repeatedly troubled the visitors and paid off as they grabbed the lead after 10 minutes.
The goal came from a corner taken by Willem Tomlinson, with his deep cross leading to a series of headers in the Derby box. The visitors struggled to clear and former Bolton striker Hall got the final touch from close range.
The non-League side continued to dominate with Ollie Shenton shooting over and Hall volleying wide from an Elliot Newby cross.
Newby had a chance himself after a good run but shot over from the edge of the area before Tomlinson hit the bar with an effort from distance on the half-volley that looped over keeper Matt Yates.
Hall had another chance early in the second half but headed narrowly wide and Newby curled a shot at Yates. Arlen Birch then delivered an inviting cross into the Derby box but Calveley planted a header wide.
Calveley was not to rue the miss for long. Derby barely got a foothold in the game and former Port Vale midfielder Calveley made victory certain six minutes from time when he volleyed in from close range.
All pictures by PA
Here's how the Magpies celebrated their win in the previous round against Peterborough:
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