Chorley provided a dominant display from start to finish on Saturday afternoon to secure all three points away at Gloucester City, winning 2-0.
The Magpies took their time to settle into the contest but had two chances in quick succession after 20 minutes - Justin Johnson’s shot denied by a last-ditch block first, before Hazlehurst couldn’t get a clean contact on an effort of his own that went over the bar.
Scott Wilson very nearly repeated a carbon copy of his unbelievable goal against Curzon Ashton but for an excellent save from Zach Jeacock to deny him.
Chorley would only have to wait a minute longer to be rewarded for their attacking efforts though, Jack Sampson firing home after Harvey Smith teed the former up from Justin Johnson’s cross after an initial corner.
Jack Sampson celebrates the opening goal (James Harrison)
Johnson then doubled the Magpies’ advantage before the break, an absolute wonder-strike from distance after jinking between two defenders from Jack Hazlehurst’s lay-off.
The Magpies very nearly bagged a third quickly after the restart, again Johnson continuing to cause all kinds of problems but Jeacock saved City’s blushes once more.
It wasn’t until the 68th minute that the hosts got their first corner of the game, forcing Matt Urwin into what would be his only save of the match as he tipped Joe Parker’s effort over the bar.
To their credit, Chorley refused to sit on their lead and continued to push for a third but couldn’t break the deadlock once more - comfortably running out 2-0 winners on the day.
Gloucester City: Jeacock, Ram, Reckford, Parker, McGrory, Williams (Wright, 69’), Pinchard, Hanks, Richards-Everton, Smalley (Durrell, 62’), McDonald (Bennett, 81’). Unused: Armstrong, Emmett.
Chorley: Urwin, Moore, Smith, Wilson, Blakeman (Henley, 67’), Whitehouse, Nolan, Calveley, Johnson (Ubaezuonu, 82’), Sampson (Moyo, 86’), Hazlehurst. Unused: Shenton, Brindle.
Goalscorers: ⚽ Sampson (32’), Johnson (36’)
Cautions: 🟨 Ram, Reckford, Parker, McGrory, Wright, Durrell, Moore, Blakeman.
Referee: Niall Smith.
Assistants: Brandon Scaife, David Hinton.
Next Up: We travel to newly-promoted Rushall Olympic, a week on Saturday. There is no game next weekend due to Alfreton Town’s involvement in the FA Cup.
