Pete Tscherewik (words) & Stefan Willoughby (pics) at HQ
THE Magpies saw off the stubborn challenge of rock bottom AFC Telford United on a wet and windy night at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium.
Chorley started the better of the two sides, forcing numerous corners in the opening 10 minutes, but were unable to turn the pressure into an early lead.
Jon Ustabaşı had the ball in the back of the net after half an hour, heading in from Adam Blakeman’s corner – only to be flagged for offside.
The Magpies continued to push and deep into stoppage time got their reward; Harvey Smith stabbing the ball home at the second attempt after Blakeman’s initial corner had been worked into the box for a second time.
Brad Young continued to be kept busy throughout much of the second-half, making 11 saves in all, two in particular from Ustabaşı and Justin Johnson standing out. Mike Calveley also hit the crossbar as the home side pushed on for a second.
That insurance goal never quite appeared and although the Bucks’ did create a couple of chances through Montel Gibson and Brendon Daniels, the Magpies were ultimately too strong for the league’s bottom side.
Chorley Urwin (c); Smith, Wilson, Nolan, Whitehouse, Calveley, Tomlinson (Sampson, 78′), Ustabaşı, Blakeman, Johnson (Henley, 78′), Hall. Subs not used: Shenton, Britton.
Telford Young; Flowers, Nolan, Allen, Moore, Evans (c) (Piggott, 84′), Ekpolo, Blissett (Gibson, 62′), Daniels, O’Brien (Reid, 74′), Livingstone. Subs not used: Bood, Green.
Man of the Match Will Tomlinson
An important three points and another clean sheet. We created plenty of chances, which was very pleasing, but we still need to be more ruthless in front of goal – Andy Preece
HT 1-0
Goals (assists) Smith 45’+3 | None
Cautions None | Ekpolo 45′
Dismissals None | None
Officials Shaun Taylor | Mark Ryder & Elliot Bell
Crowd 765
50/50 1st 628 £36 | 2nd 729 £22 | 3rd 678 £15
Next Up
Another Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium outing – a derby date with Southport on Saturday. The usual admission prices apply for this one – Adults £15 | Concessions £12 | 17-20s £7 | 12-16s £5 | Accompanied u12s FREE.
Tickets available online here or on the day. Please note: this fixture is segregated.