CHORLEY FC boss Jamie Vermiglio was impressed by the contribution of his hat-trick hero Louis Almond on Saturday.

The Magpies had to settle for a place in the Vanarama National North play-offs as Stockport took the title by beating Nuneaton 3-0 on the same day.

It means they will entertain the winner of the Altrincham match against Blyth Spartans. The fixture will take place at Victory Park on Sunday afternoon.

Vermiglio was pleased with Almond as he said: “He has obviously put some thoughts in my head for selection for the next game. He has waited for his chance and not moaned or groaned and performed well.

“At the beginning of the season there was Marcus, Josh and Louis doing well but now they are all good and look up for it.

“It was a good result as we had to win for a number of reasons as there was an outside chance that Stockport could slip up but we wanted to take some form into the play-offs.”

Vermiglio is wary of the challenge posed by Altrincham and Blyth.

He said: “We don’t know who we will be facing but they are both good footballing sides who like to get the ball down and play it into feet to the strikers.

“They have good build-up play but we have beaten them both this season.

“However, Blyth beat us in a one-off game and then Altrincham did the same a few weeks ago.

“It is a home game and we have scored a few goals at home and when you go on there in the morning there is a real buzz from all the people doing their various roles.

“There is a feel-good factor.

“That psychological advantage stands us in good stead.”

Vermiglio has a busy week as he attends matches and training.

But he is hoping to have a fully-fit squad ready for Sunday’s tie.

He said: “Andy Teague missed out with a muscle strain which he has now recovered from. Matt Challinor was out on Saturday and then Josh had a heel problem. But they are all looking to play at the weekend.”

Vermiglio was part of the Chorley side in the UniBond Division One North promotion campaign in 2010/11 when they beat AFC Fylde in a thrilling play-off victory at Victory Park.

It was the start of Garry Flitcroft’s reign in charge of Chorley and Vermiglio says it laid the foundation for the club’s success.

He said: “Garry was a massive part of our recent history and I can remember the jubilant scenes on the pitch that night.

“I am now calling on our players to write their own place in the history of the club by helping us into the National League.

“I know it may be extreme but if we don’t go up this season then it would be a failure as that was our target at the start of the year. Also when you consider how well we have done.”