Alex Birch (words) & David Airey (pics) at the Skuna Stadium
THE Magpies bowed out of the LFA Challenge Trophy to Atherton Collieries for a second season in a row, going down to a narrow second round defeat at the Skuna Stadium
A much-changed Chorley side from Saturday’s FA trophy win over Leek Town made most of the running in the first half, without creating too much of note.
The best chance fell to Andy Owens, who forced a terrific save out of Nico Defreitas-Hansen in the home goal off a Billy Whitehouse through ball.
The second half saw Atherton grow more into the game, but without too much purpose being shown by either side, the game looked destined for penalties.
That was until five minutes from time when Jay Fitzmartin took control of a loose ball 25 yards out before beating Kier Barry with a controlled finish.
There was still a chance for Owens to test the concentration of Defreitas-Hansen in injury time, but the home keeper stood firm to confirm his side’s progression to the quarter finals.
Atherton N.Defreitas-Hansen; C.Smith, Peet, Amado, Rooney, L.Defreitas-Hansen, Kershaw (Cusani, 83′), Lenehan (Smith, 73′), Thompson (Bakkor, 57′), Fitzmartin, Pettifer. Subs not used:
Chorley Barry; Challoner, Blakeman, Moran, Isherwood (Calveley, 60′), Nolan, Whitehouse, Okome, Owens, Scarborough, Fenlon (Johnson, 46′). Subs not used: Shenton, Ustabaşı, Tomlinson.
It was an important game to get some of our young players involved as well as our first teams who needed minutes in the legs. We now look ahead and start planning for the return to league action on Saturday at Banbury – Chris Anderson
HT 0-0
Goals (assists) Fitzmartin 85′ | None
Cautions None | None
Dismissals None | None
Crowd N/A
Referee Richard Wild
Next Up
A trip to Banbury United on Saturday as we return to Vanarama National League North action (3pm). Admission to the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium (OX16 5AB) costs £15 Adults | £11 65+ | £8 Students (with ID) | £5 Under-18s | £2 Under-11s.
Tickets available online or on the day.
