Words: Ewan Murray, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY put in a very convincing performance on Saturday afternoon to run out 3-0 winners against ten-man Chester at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
The game could not have got off to a worse start for the visitors, as nine minutes in midfielder Jack Bainbridge was sent off for a late lunge on Billy Whitehouse.
Chorley looked to capitalise on the extra man advantage in the 16th minute, when an Adam Blakeman long throw met the head of Mark Ellis in the box, however his effort was straight at Andrew Wogan in goal for Chester.
Then just a couple of minutes later a great run by George Horbury found Jack Sampson, his shot however was easily saved by Wogan.
In the 31st minute a fizzed ball by Blakeman met the feet of Sampson who teed it up for Tom Carr, but the angle was always against him, and the shot was wayward.
Just before halftime, some good play by Whitehouse and the ball made its way to Blakeman, his cross found Horbury who headed well and was cleared off the line by James Jones for the visitors.
Into the second half Chorley’s pressure finally paid off in the 51st minute, as a deep cross by Warren Clarke was headed down by Adam Henley to Mike Calveley who finished well into the bottom corner, 1-0.
Just two minutes later the Magpies doubled their lead, following another cross, this time by Henley was headed on by Clarke to Sampson who finished superbly on the volley, 2-0.
And there was a third in quick succession for Chorley, yet another deep cross by Henley was this time met by Sampson who headed it into the six-yard box towards Mark Ellis, however before it reached him the ball was put into the Chester net by their defender Tom Leak, 3-0.
Andy Preece’s side, who were today lead by assistant Chris Anderson, due to a suspension for the gaffer, saw out the rest of the game with relative ease, as there were a couple of opportunities late on, first, an effort by substitute Jack Moore which flew just wide and then, a Calveley cross in the 92nd minute which hit the crossbar.
The Magpies will now turn their attention to Tuesday night where they will face Scarborough Athletic, once again at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
