Words: Pete Tscherewik, Images: David Airey
AGAINST another EFL opposition in League One side, Bradford City, Chorley held firm with another strong pre-season display to finish up with a goalless draw on Friday evening.
Both sides took their time to settle into the game with chances, as they often are in pre-season coming at a premium inside the opening 15-minutes, Stephen Humphrys and George Lapslie the two looking to make things tick for the Bantams in attacking areas early on.
Chorley's first half-chance fell to Tom Carr, who got on the end of a dangerous Milan Lalkovic cross, dummied then by Kole Hall before Carr got a shot off; held by Sam Walker in goal.
Lalkovic then went close with a chance of his own on the stroke of half-time, firing a shot towards the far-corner that deflected behind for a corner.
Following the restart, both managers opted to shuffle the pack, Chorley with ten changes; Matt Urwin the only man to stay on, while Bantams boss Graham Alexander opted to field an entirely new eleven,
Chorley went close on 53 minutes, 'Trialist', forcing a good save down low from the goalkeeper.
At the other end, Antoni Sarcevic then forced Urwin into an excellent stop of his own, smothering his dinked effort from close range.
Alexander's side continued to look to up the tempo, turn the screw and open the scoring but in truth, Urwin was kept relatively quiet thanks to Chorley's organised shape.
Youngsters Noel Brindle and Sonny Reeves both looked bright in midfield and out wide throughout the second period, continuing their good string of performances in this pre-season.
Callum Kavanagh had one last chance for the visitors to go on and win it, but, ultimately dragged his shot wide to see the game end all square at a goalless stalemate.
