CHORLEY bounced back with a terrific win on Tuesday under the lights at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium - beating South Shields 2-1 thanks to goals from Mike Calveley and Carlton Ubaezuonu.
South Shields came out of the blocks quicker than the Magpies, forcing Matt Urwin into a smart save after barely two minutes had been played before Paul Blackett very nearly got in behind a minute later.
The Magpies' first moment of magic came from the in-form Justin Johnson who did brilliantly to beat Blair Adams, take-on Gary Liddle then cross towards Josh Popoola - who just couldn't strike it cleanly to beat Myles Boney in goal.
Chorley's efforts in attack were eventually rewarded after 31 minutes, Mike Calveley found himself in acres of space inside the box and made no mistake in taking full advantage - firing past a helpless Boney.
Mike Calveley celebrates Chorley's opener (David Airey)
South Shields got themselves back on terms deep into stoppage time at the end of the first-half, Paul Blackett tapping home at the back post after some smart work from Jed Abbey to control the ball after a long diagonal ball was sent through over the top.
The Mariners started out after the restart much as they left off in the first-half, forcing Urwin into more action between the posts as he denied Blackett superbly from close range.
Despite all of the pressure from the visitors it was to be Andy Preece's side who hit the front on 68 minutes, an absolute wonderstrike from Carlton Ubaezuonu who hammered the ball home with an absolute rocket from his left-foot from range.
Julio Arca's side threw absolutely everything at Chorley right to the final whistle and even in the dying embers, hit the post through Blackett in the fourth minute of injury time at the end of the second-half.
Chorley: Urwin, Moore, Ellis, H. Smith, Popoola (Ubaezounu, 60') Henley, Calveley, Sampson (Moyo, 81'), Nolan, Johnson (Blakeman, 90+1), Whitehouse. Unused: Brindle, Shenton.
South Shields: Boney, Clarke, Adams, Liddle, Broadbent, Hasani, Heaney, Briggs (M. Smith, 45'), Blackett, Abbey (Martin, 78'), James. Unused: Mongoy, Lufudu (Woods, 74').
Goalscorers: ⚽ Calveley (31'), Blackett (45+3'), Ubaezuonu (68')
Cautions: 🟨 Heaney (30'), Adams (35'), M. Smith (60'), Ellis (61').
Referee: Oliver Noonan.
Assistants: Adam Watson & James Garsud.
Attendance: 916.
50/50 draw results: 3rd: 07399 // £30 2nd: 09138 // £46 1st: 09136 // £77
Next Up: We host Hereford FC, back at home once more - this Saturday at the Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium in the Vanarama National League North.
Tickets are available online, HERE: https://tickets.chorleyfc.com/events/ChorleyFCvHerefod
