Alex Birch (words) & Stefan Willoughby (pics) at HQ
THE Magpies made it four wins on the spin at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium with a clinical victory against Kettering Town.
The first half struggled to ignite as Chorley bossed possession and Kettering looked to hit on the break. A couple of speculative efforts from Adam Blakeman aside, it was heavy going until Keaton Ward forced Matt Urwin to save low on 35 minutes.
Less than a minute later Billy Whitehouse brought Harrison Foulkes’ gloves into the action off a Jack Sampson knocked down, but otherwise the opening 45 meandered into the break.
A period of decent Chorley pressure at the beginning of the half told on the visitors six minutes in. Blakeman found Ustabaşı and the winger’s pinpoint centre was nodded home by top scorer Connor Hall.
Ward went close straight after the opener, with Urwin alert to the forwards effort, before the game was as good as sealed on 63 minutes. Hall chased a lost cause to the byline, kept the ball in and found his strike partner Sampson who turned a squeezed an effort beyond Foulkes.
It could have been more near the end as the introduction of Justin Johnson down the Chorley right caused panic in the visiting defence. However, despite the best efforts of Johnson, Ustabaşı and Hall, the Magpies had to settle for two goals and the all-important three points.
Chorley Urwin; Smith, Wilson, Leather (c), Whitehouse (Johnson, 68′), Calveley, Sampson (Owens, 86′), Ustabaşı, Shenton (Tomlinson, 68′), Blakeman, Hall. Subs not used: Nolan, Challoner.
Kettering Foulkes; White, Toseland (Bennett, 85′), Gascoigne, Stohrer (c), Ward, Sharpe, Hill, Myles, Agustien (Sheriff, 64′), Lewthwaite. Subs not used: Gregory, Graham, Cooper.
Man of the Match Scott Leather
I was really happy with the performance today, especially in the second half. It’s another home win and puts us in a great position heading into our mini league break for the two cup ties – Andy Preece
HT 0-0
Goals (assists) Hall 51′ (Ustabaşı), Sampson 63′ (Hall) | None
Cautions None | None
Dismissals None | None
Officials Gareth Thomas | Joe Moss & Matthew Langdon
Crowd 919
Next Up
Leek Town are the visitors to Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium next Saturday (3pm) for an Isuzu FA Trophy second round clash. Ticket details will be available early next week across our media channels.
