Worcester City Faces Chorley Replay for FA Cup Tie at Colchester

Worcester City must overcome Chorley FC in an FA Cup fourth-round qualifying replay to secure a first-round meeting with Colchester United at the JobServe Community Stadium on the weekend of November 7, 2026. The teams drew 1-1 at Victory Park after Josh Ezewele scored a stoppage-time equalizer, sending the contest to a decisive match at Sixways Stadium.

According to Colchester United's official announcement on October 19, the replay was scheduled for Tuesday at 7:45 p.m. The winner will travel to face the League Two club in the first round proper, while the losing side will miss out on a place in the competition's next stage.

The Worcester Observer reported on October 20 that clubs advancing to the first round would receive £47,750, while losing clubs would receive £15,800. Worcester City compete three divisions below Colchester United, highlighting the difference in league standing between the potential opponents.

Worcester City appeared close to elimination after Chorley's Mike Calveley scored in the first half of their qualifying encounter. However, Ezewele's 93rd-minute goal restored parity and forced the replay, according to The Non-League Football Paper's October 17 report.

The late equalizer preserved Worcester's opportunity to reach the first round, but the club also faced a selection concern ahead of the return fixture. The Non-League Football Paper reported that goalkeeper Li-Bau Stowell received a second yellow card after the final whistle, creating uncertainty over Worcester's goalkeeping options for the match at Sixways Stadium.

Chorley entered the tie in 10th place in the National League North, while Worcester City occupied 19th place in the Southern League Premier, according to Colchester United's announcement. Both clubs needed to settle their qualifying contest before either could prepare for the trip to Essex.

Colchester United play in League Two and have competed in the Football League since the 1992-93 season. The club finished 12th in League Two during the 2025-26 campaign, according to the Worcester Observer.

The upcoming tie also offers Colchester an opportunity to improve on its previous FA Cup campaign. The club was eliminated in the first round in 2025-26 after losing 3-2 to MK Dons, according to its official website.

The first round proper of the 2026-27 FA Cup is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026. The subsequent rounds are set for December 5, 2026, January 9, 2027, February 13, 2027, March 6, 2027, and April 3, 2027, followed by the semifinals on April 24 and the final on May 22, 2027, according to the competition dates published by Colchester United.

Colchester United said kickoff details and ticket information for its first-round fixture would be announced after the qualifying replay determines its opponent.