Words: Ewan Murray, Image: Pete Tscherewik
CHORLEY fell to a 1-0 defeat in a tightly fought affair away at Leamington on Saturday afternoon.
In what was a largely uneventful opening half hour, the most notable events were a snap-shot from Tim Berridge which went narrowly wide for the hosts; and a great effort from Billy Whitehouse on the volley from 25-yards out which flew just over.
The remainder of the opening 45’ also did not see much action, other than an Adam Blakeman free-kick, which had keeper Rogan Ravenhill scrambling, but it was just too high and wide; and then in the 41st minute, another Blakeman free-kick this time whipped into the box was met by Jack Sampson, his header looker goal bound but was deflected wide for a corner.
A couple of minutes into the second-half, a deep cross by Blakeman almost caught Ravenhill off guard as the keeper had to tip it over the crossbar to prevent it going in.
Ten minutes later the ball fell for Whitehouse again on the edge of the box, this time the winger thumped his effort just wide.
Leamington had their first major chance of the game in the 71st minute, with right back Dan Meredith getting high up the pitch, he played a ball across the box to Ewan Williams’s whose effort hit the post.
Chorley then had their biggest opportunity of the game four minutes later, as a great cross into the box by substitute Tom Walker, found Jack Sampson, his header was saved brilliantly by Ravenhill in goal.
The Brakes had another opportunity in the 83rd minute, when the ball came to Owen Farmer in the box following a counter attack, his finessed effort went just wide of Matt Urwin’s goal.
Then, just a minute later they had another golden chance, a shot cannoned off the post and came to Demico Burton, his shot was saved superbly by Urwin to keep the sides level.
However, in the 89th minute the hosts had their breakthrough, a free-kick from just inside Chorley’s half eventually fell to Max Ram who smashed his effort into the back of the net.
The Magpies pushed for a late equaliser and in the first minute of stoppage time a ball into the box by Walker found Mike Calveley, but his effort was saved well by Ravenhill.
Andy Preece’s team kept going until the final whistle with a flurry of corners and long throws, however they could not convert from any of them and left the Your Co-op Community Stadium empty handed.
Chorley will now turn their attention to Tuesday evening, where they face Curzon Ashton at the Tameside Stadium.
