Words: James Ede, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY ran riot in front of goal with Adam Blakeman starring in a 4-2 win at Victory Park over Southport.
The full-back scored and produced multiple assists as Tom Carr, Anjola Popoola and Mark Ellis also found the net on a dominant night for Andy Preece’s side.
The visitors took a quick lead within two minutes as Ted Lavelle fired home after the Magpies failed to clear their lines.
They responded in good time though, levelling in the 16th minute when Blakeman’s long throw caused trouble in the Southport box and Carr got the final touch for his second goal in as many games.
Referee Joe Moss had his fair share of scuffles to sort out and dished out yellow cards to Blakeman, Matt Urwin, DJ Pedro and Mark Ellis in a lively first half.
The hosts started to take charge as Anjola Popoola delivered a lovely left-footed cross to Carr at the far post but his strike partner was unable to connect well.
Chorley did take the lead in the 34th minute and it was Accrington Stanley loanee Popoola, continuing his rich vein of form.
Blakeman swung a cross into the box on his weaker foot and the teenager rose excellently, directing his header back across goal, where it hit the post and made its way across Chris Renshaw’s goalline.
That being said, the Sandgrounders hit back within minutes, Pedro finding space in the hosts’ box and finishing past Urwin.
The former Bury man squandered two more chances before half-time as the sides went into the break level.
A cagey start to the second half was broken by Blakeman in the 63rd minute, with the number 16 swinging a corner all the way into Renshaw’s goal.
The Magpies did not hold off there and, four minutes, later Ellis made it four.
Another Blakeman cross found the centre-back in the box, where he swung a foot out and his volley made its way past Renshaw to give the hosts a two-goal lead.
Paul Murphy-Worrell was handed a second-yellow card late on for the visitors, pulling down Warren Clarke as he looked to break on the counter.
Jack Sampson made his return from injury off the bench and nearly made it five in the final minutes, seeing his header saved by a combination of Renshaw and the post.
Full-time came and saw the end of the Magpies’ dominant second-half performance, filling Andy Preece with positives and moving his side six points off the play-offs.
