CHORLEY battled hard and had to settle for a point against Scunthorpe United on Saturday afternoon at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium, as Justin Johnson’s equaliser saw the game finish 1-1.
The Magpies started the better of the two sides and the visitors struggled to settle into the contest, Billy Whitehouse’s early cross causing problems for Max Kouogun as the ball almost fell to the feet of Jack Hazlehurst.
Justin Johnson had the first real chance of the afternoon with Tyler Denton breathing over his shoulder after latching onto David Moyo’s flick on but being off-balance, his shot held by Ross Fitzsimons.
Justin Johnson scoring the equaliser against Scunthorpe United (David Airey)
Scunthorpe began to turn the screw from around the half-hour mark and although Johnson had the ball in the back of the net before the break, only to be flagged for offside - the visitors hit the front right before half-time, Danny Elliott rising highest to head into the corner past Matt Urwin.
Chorley wouldn’t have to wait long to get back on terms after the restart though, Johnson prodding the ball past Fitzsimons after some excellent pressing from himself and Jack Moore to force an error out of Kouogun.
David Moyo battling for possession against Scunthorpe United (David Airey)
A turning point in the game fell in the 69th minute, Will Evans shown a second-yellow card after an off the ball altercation with Mark Ellis following a corner.
Andy Preece’s side continued to push for a late winner but struggled to carve out any chances of note, leaving the Magpies to settle for for a valuable point.
“I was really happy with the point, the performance – the desire and character from the lads today was excellent. Our press was fantastic from back to front and that’s what got us the goal, a real credit to first Jack (Moore) and then Justin (Johnson) with that bit of quality to get us the goal.” - Andy Preece
Chorley: Urwin, Moore, Smith, Ellis (Wilson, 90+5’), Henley, Calveley, Nolan, Hazlehurst, Whitehouse (Blakeman, 90+2’), Moyo (Ubaezuonu, 85’), Johnson. Unused: Britton, Shenton.
Scunthorpe United: Fitzsimons, Kelly, Kouogun (Boyce, 52), Evans, Elliott, Wilson, Butterfield (Barrows, 72’), Shrimpton, Denton, Whitehall (Pugh, 87’). Unused: Smith, Bennett.
Goalscorers: ⚽ Elliott (43’), Johnson, (47’).
Cautions: 🟨 Hazlehurst (57’), Moyo (62’), Denton (67’), Evans (67’), Ellis (69’).
Dismissals: 🟥 Evans (69’).
Referee: George Lafin.
Assistants: James Naisbett, Thomas Harland.
Attendance: 1,711 (403 away)
50/50 Draw Result: 06794 (£53), 09107 (£80), 04412 (£132)
Next Up: We’re back on the road to take on Curzon Ashton in an FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie, next Saturday.
