Recap | Darlington (a)

March 29, 2024
Recap | Darlington (a)
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CHORLEY got themselves back to winning ways on Friday afternoon with a 0-3 win at Darlington thanks to goals from Jack Sampson, Mark Ellis and Mike Calveley at Blackwell Meadows.

The Magpies very nearly got off to a perfect start only three minutes in, Adam Blakeman's low drive denied by a smart stop down low from Matty Young.

Matt Urwin returned to the side following an injury and was put to the test early by Aidan Rutledge who struck the ball on the volley sweetly after catching on to Cedric Main's pinpoint lay-off.

Andy Preece's side had the better of the ball for much of the first-half but very nearly found themselves a goal behind before the break but for the heroics of Adam Blakeman, who somehow cleared the ball off the line to deny Cameron Salkeld, who along with much of Blackwell Meadows thought the ball had crossed the line.

It was to be Chorley though who would hit the front first, JACK SAMPSON converting confidently from 12-yards after Carlton Ubaezuonu was wiped out by Young inside the area.

Jack Sampson scores from the spot to put Chorley ahead (David Airey)

Chorley came out of the blocks quickly after the restart and quickly found themselves two goals to the good, MARK ELLIS tapping home from six-yards out after a smart cut-back from Sampson.

Darlington struggled to weather the Magpies' storm and were soon condemned to conceding the third goal of the afternoon, MIKE CALVELEY this time left unmarked at the back post and the midfielder confidently placed the ball into the far-corner past an onlooking Young to secure all three points on the road and put Andy Preece's side back to third position in the National League North table.

Darlington: Young, Platt (Liddle, 81'), Lees, Lawlor, Main, Hatfield, Barrow, Salkeld, Rutledge (Curry, 72'), Griffiths, Cornish (Rivers, 72').

Chorley: Urwin, Henley, Ellis, Smith, Blakeman, Nolan, Calveley (Horbury, 67'), Hazlehurst, Maguire, Ubaezuonu (Whitehouse, 71'), Sampson.

Goalscorers: Sampson (p, 45'), Ellis (49'), Calveley (55').

Cautions: Griffiths (29'), Salkeld (45'), Young (45'), Barrow (53'), Main (61'), Hatfield (90').

Referee: Shaun Taylor.

Assistants: Mark Bell & Stephen Birkett.

Attendance: 1,897.

Up Next: We're back at home to take on Blyth Spartans on Easter Monday.

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