REPORT: Chorley 2-1 Spalding United
Chorley were deserved winners against Spalding United.
CHORLEY earned a deserved win at home to Spalding United as a goal from Sam Fielding and an own goal sealed all three points at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
The goals for the Magpies came either side of Abdaramane Sani’s equaliser, but the Magpies did enough for the win.
A first half lacking in quality saw just one clear chance for both teams.
The Magpies tested their opponent’s defence first, Warren Clarke breaking away down the left wing and fizzing a ball into the chest of Max Wilson, who could not control it before Tulips goalkeeper Peter Crook claimed it.
At the other end of the pitch, danger man Bart Cybulski forced Li-Bau Stowell into a good save after meeting Ben Fowkes’ cross in the box.
With both sides poor in the final third, a physical battle played out in the middle of the pitch, Max Hunt and Tom Pugh both receiving yellow cards for late challenges.
Jimmy Dean’s side came out of half-time brightly with Alfie Bendle seeing his half-volley cleared away by Hunt in front of the diving Stowell.
But they were pushed back by the Magpies who saw skipper Mike Calveley test Crook twice, his first effort a rising effort that was tipped over before another shot was deflected into the keeper’s midriff.
The opener for the hosts came in the 57th minute and it was summer signing Fielding who struck a brilliant shot from 25 yards out into Crook’s bottom right corner, leaving Spalding’s number one with no chance.
Not giving up, the Tulips made attacking changes and it was two substitutes who linked up for their equaliser.
Dan Barton’s cross from the right was met by the on-rushing Sani who turned the ball into the far corner.
However, Chorley continued to battle and Calveley came up with the second goal in the 88th minute, doubling Chorley’s tally for the game.
Adam Blakeman’s corner was headed across goal by Harvey Smith and inadvertently directed towards the net by a Spalding defender putting the Magpies back in front.
Andy Preece’s side held on in the final minutes to collect a big three points and their fourth win of the season.
Chorley: Stowell, Moore, Hunt, Smith, Blakeman, M. Wilson (Whitehouse 77), Calveley, Rowe (Bala 86), Fielding, Clarke, Taylor (Sampson 71). Subs not used: Henley, Salmon, Bird, Popoola.
