Words: Pete Tscherewik, Images: David Airey
CHORLEY delivered a five-star performance on Easter Monday, putting five past Radcliffe to leap back into the all-important playoff positions ahead of a final-day clash at Rushall Olympic this weekend.
Andy Preece’s side came out firing, showing clear attacking intent from the first whistle. Within 90 seconds, Tom Carr sent a warning shot with a header just over the bar, a sign of things to come.
Courtney Senior tested Radcliffe goalkeeper Mateusz Hewelt with a sharp effort, while at the other end, Warren Clarke was alert to clear a goal-bound header off the line.
The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Carr opened the scoring with a confident finish on his weaker left foot.
Just before the half-time whistle, Chorley doubled their advantage. Kole Hall, facing his former club, smashed in a powerful strike from the edge of the box to send the Magpies into the break with a two-goal cushion.
Radcliffe attempted to respond early in the second half, but Chorley remained dominant. Senior grabbed his first goal in Black and White on 54 minutes, converting a brilliant cross from Hall to make it 3–0.
With goal difference potentially crucial, Chorley showed no signs of slowing down. Carr added his second with a stunning solo run, beating two defenders before calmly slotting past Hewelt into the far corner.
The emphatic performance was capped off in the final minute when Mark Ellis was left unmarked in the six-yard box to head home a fifth, sealing an unforgettable afternoon and lifting Chorley to sixth place in the Vanarama National League North.
