CHORLEY were left frustrated on their travels on Saturday afternoon after coming from behind to draw 1-1 and force a replay with Runcorn Linnets in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round.
The Magpies started on the front-foot in this one, Jack Hazlehurst with an early sighter before Justin Johnson forced Bailey Passant into an outstanding save from point-blank range.
Chorley continued to have the lion’s share of possession throughout the first-half but it was Runcorn who hit the front right before the break - Will Saxon firing home after the ball fell kindly to him after Matt Urwin initially punched it away from a corner.
Carlton Ubaezuonu battles in possession (James Harrison)
It was one-way traffic for the majority of the second-half but the hosts did have a golden chance to double their lead shortly after the restart, Joe Lynch choosing the wrong option by going for the spectacular instead of aiming at the unmarked Adam Moseley who was stood waiting at the back post.
Chorley continued to grow into the game as the clock ticked on and the hosts struggled to contain Hazlehurst through the middle - he along with Johnson, Ollie Shenton and Billy Whitehouse had shots one after another within the space of 30 seconds on the hour mark.
After 72 minutes their hard work was rewarded for though, Hazlehurst placing the ball home from David Moyo’s perfectly executed header flick to make it 1-1.
Jack Hazlehurst celebrates his equaliser with David Moyo (James Harrison)
The Magpies continued to throw everything at the Linnets in search of a winner and Mark Ellis very nearly got it, Passant with another acrobatic save in tipping his header over the bar.
Runcorn Linnets: Passant, Barratt, Wylie, Welsh, O’ Mahony, Kay, Moseley (Brown, 60’), Lynch, Brooke, Doyle, Saxon (Gumbs, 65’). Unused: Hagan, Chiduku, Short, Woodcock.
Chorley: Urwin, Moore, Smith, Wilson (Nolan, 60’), Blakeman, Calveley, Shenton (Moyo, 67’), Hazlehurst, Whitehouse, Johnson, Ubaezuonu (Britton, 76). Unused: Smith, Spencer-McDermott, Henley, Drench.
Goalscorers: ⚽ Saxon (45’), Hazlehurst (72’).
Cautions: 🟨 Saxon (69’), Johnson (74’), Welsh (90’).
Referee: Jack Hall.
Assistants: John Duffy, Waqar Ahmad.
Attendance: 907.
Next Up: We take on Runcorn Linnets, once again, in a replay of this fixture - admission details and tickets are available to buy HERE:
https://tickets.chorleyfc.com/events/ChorleyVRuncorn
HIGHLIGHTS | Runcorn Linnets 1 Chorley 1
REACTION l Preecy’s Interview - Runcorn Linnets vs Chorley
