Words: Ewan Murray, Image: David Airey
CHORLEY were second best in their 2-0 defeat away to South Shields on Saturday afternoon.
The game started off brightly for the Magpies, as two minutes in Harry Ibbitson slipped in Warren Clarke in the box, his effort was straight at Jasper Sheik in the South Shields goal.
Nine minutes later the Mariners were on the attack, a lovely give and go between Paul Blackett and Daniel Dodds, resulted in Blackett going through one on one and putting his effort just wide.
Then a cross by Cedwyn Scott found its way to Blackett in the box, for Matt Urwin to pull off a brilliant save to keep the sides level.
A minute later though, the deadlock was broken, as Dodds found himself free on the right-hand side, he fizzed the ball to the back post where Dan Ward was waiting and showed some good composure to take his time and finish well into the back of the net.
There were three more chances in quick succession for Shields, Jenkins had time to turn and shoot – a comfortable save for Urwin – a cross by Cain Sykes was met with a glancing header by Blackett which went just wide and then Dodds found himself free on the right again and his low cross found Ward at the back post, again, Urwin pulled off a fantastic save to keep the game at 1-0.
Into the second half, in the 64th minute Ward found himself with an opportunity in the Chorley box, but the winger curled his effort just over.
A minute later Harvey Smith went close from distance, as he fired an effort just wide of the goal.
The closest Andy Preece’s side came to scoring was in the 76th minute, when a Craig Hewitt free kick from 30-yards out forced a great save from Sheik.
However, South Shields wrapped the game up not long after, when Mark Ellis brought down Blackett in the box, the striker stepped up and smashed his penalty into the bottom corner.
Blackett thought he had his second a few minutes later, but the assistant referee’s flag was up against Dodds in the build-up.
Chorley will now switch their attention to next Saturday where they will play Oxford City at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
