Words: Pete Tscherewik, Images: David Airey
CHORLEY fell to a narrow 1-2 defeat at the hands of National League side Rochdale AFC on Wednesday night, Jimmy McNulty's side coming from behind thanks to a quickfire brace from Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.
The Magpies had the first chance of the match, starting with a 30-yard effort from Milan Lalkovic that was comfortably collected by our the visitors' trialist goalkeeper.
With just over ten minutes on the clock, Jack Sampson won possession high up the pitch and attempted to lob the keeper, who managed to tip the ball over the bar. Initially shown a red card, the referee reversed his decision after Andy Preece allowed the man between the sticks to continue.
Dale went close following Devante Rodney's killer ball across the face of goal, but it was to be Preece's side who would hit the front first; Sampson heading in at the back post from an Adam Blakeman corner.
Midway through the first half, the visitors had the ball in the net, but Ian Henderson was ruled offside after tapping in the rebound from Rodney’s initial shot that was parried by Matt Urwin.
A fantastic through ball by Lalkovic sent Tom Carr through on goal on the stroke of half-time, but the goalkeeper made a fantastic save to deny him. The danger wasn’t over, but Ethan Ebanks-Landell produced a stellar clearance for Carr's second bite of the cherry.
Both sides made changes at the break, then followed by the visitors making eight alterations on the hour mark, one being Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who quickly made an impact. Harvey Gilmour showed great composure to turn in a tight space and slip a clever pass to the number nine, who took a tidy touch before slotting it into the corner.
Just five minutes later, Dieseruvwe was on the scoresheet again. Joe Pritchard cut inside and played in Ryan East, who remained composed and squared the ball for an easy tap-in for the number nine.
Chorley now turn their attentions to Friday's pre-season friendly away at Warrington Town.
