Alex Birch (words) & Stefan Willoughby (pics) at HQ
THE Magpies were left stunned by a five minute second half double salvo from visitors Southport at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium.
This despite a dominant first half showing from the home side, who forced numerous half chances and corners, before heading into the break with what looked to be an important opening goal.
Jon Ustabaşı forced the only real first half save out of Tony McMillan, who dived low to tip the winger’s effort away. Joe Nolan and Billy Whitehouse saw efforts blocked as the set pieces rained down on the Port box, with visitors looking likely to hold out to the break.
That was until the ninth Chorley corner of the half on 37 minutes, all taken by Whitehouse, found an onrushing Scott Wilson inside the six yard and the defender finished past McMillan.
The tables were turned in dramatic fashion within seven minutes of the restart as the visitors eventually grabbed the a decisive lead. Michael Carberry’s corner was headed home by Chris Doyle for a Port equaliser on 47 minutes, before Connor Woods got in down the right and finished low past Matt Urwin five minutes later.
It took the Magpies time to gain their composure, but they came again. Connor Hall hit the Port bar off a Jack Sampson flick, before Ustabaşı worked McMillan low soon after.
Back down the other end and Liam Watson forced Urwin into a brilliant low save as Port threatened on a rare counter attack.
Will Tomlinson, Justin Johnson and Louis Britton were thrown into battle as the Magpies went searching for a leveller and the change of shape that followed almost forced a draw towards the end. However, Johnson’s sweet half volley was matched by the reflexes of McMillan, who preserved the away side’s lead one final time.
Chorley Urwin; Henley, Smith, Wilson, Leather (c) (Britton, 78′), Nolan (Tomlinson, 66′), Whitehouse (Johnson, 73′), Calveley, Sampson, Ustabaşı, Hall. Subs not used: Shenton, Blakeman.
Southport McMillan; J.Doyle (Carberry, 28′), C.Doyle, Anson (c), Woods (Walton, 79′), Munro, Archer, Heath (Miles, 79′), Quansah, Watson, Bainbridge. Subs not used: Goudie, Oliver.
Man of the Match Scott Wilson
We’ve shot ourselves in the foot with those seven minutes at the start of the second half. We’ve played well, we’ve created chances and two moments have done for us – Andy Preece
HT 1-0
Goals (assists) Wilson 37′ (Whitehouse) | C.Doyle 47′ (Carberry), Woods 52′ (Archer)
Cautions Smith 90’+2 | Anson 6′, Carberry 59′, Archer 82′
Dismissals None | None
Officials James Westgate | Jamie Waters & Josh Martin
Crowd 1,547
50/50 1st 574 £70 | 2nd 3722 £43 | 3rd 822 £28
Next Up
The long journey up to Northumberland to face Blyth Spartans – Tuesday, 7:45pm. Buy your Croft Park tickets online here or pay on the gate – Adults £15/12 | 65+ £9/7 | Students/11-16s £7/5 | u-11s £3/2
