Words: Ben Nixon, Images: David Airey
CHORLEY cruised back to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 win against Banbury United at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium on Saturday afternoon thanks to goals from Justin Johnson, Carlton Ubaezuonu and Adam Blakeman to guarantee Andy Preece's side a play-off place.
The Magpies pushed hard for the opening goal, coming close through Carlton Ubaezuonu who found himself free in the box but extra touches allowed the Banbury defender to put in an interception.
Attacking dominance continued into the opening 45 minutes and the hosts didn't have to wait long to grab the opener, JUSTIN JOHNSON nutmegging his opponent before spectacularly lobbing James Dadge from just inside the Banbury half to grab the lead.
Justin Johnson celebrates the opening goal for the Magpies.
The Magpies were rewarded for their attacking efforts in the first minute of additional time when Johnson found Mike Calveley on the counter, who turned beautifully before setting up UBAEZUONU to head home from six-yards out.
Chorley were quick out of the blocks scoring just two minutes after the restart courtesy of ADAM BLAKEMAN, who rifled a shot home from the edge of the box rocketed into the top right corner to add a third.
Andy Preece's side continued to control the contest right through to the final whistle to secure their place in the playoffs ahead of the Magpies' final scheduled outing away at Peterborough Sports next Saturday.
Chorley: Urwin, Henley (Whitehouse, 58'), Ellis (Wilson, 55'), Smith, Blakeman, Glynn, Calveley (Sithole, 65'), Maguire, Hazlehurst, Ubaezuonu, Johnson.
Goalscorers: Johnson (19'), Ubaezuonu (45+1'), Blakeman (47').
Referee: Matthew Scholes.
Assistants: Samuel Bragg & Matthew Langdon.
Attendance: 1,308.
Up Next: We're away at Peterborough Sports next Saturday in the Vanarama National League North.
