Words: Ben Nixon, Images: Pete Tscherewik
Chorley came out on top on Saturday afternoon thanks to goals from Scott Wilson and Mark Ellis, having gone a goal behind to an early Zak Brown header.
Kidderminster started on the front foot, putting Chorley under pressure early on, with Matt Urwin forced to make a couple of routine saves. Kidderminster's early dominance resulted in them taking the lead from a curled free kick, which was headed against the post and in by Zak Brown.
Chorley continued to fight their way back into the game with great link-up play through Craig Hewitt, who looked dangerous down the right-hand side, causing issues for the Kidderminster defence.
The Reds maintained possession of the ball, looking for gaps to punish the Magpies, with Maz Kouhyar coming close on a few occasions. Mark Ellis put his body on the line for the Magpies, blocking efforts from an in-form Harriers attack. Chorley fought hard to get back into the game but struggled to find that cutting-edge pass to create an equaliser in the final third.
Midway through the first half, a good move from the visitors saw Luke Summerfield in a threatening position, forcing a superb save from Matt Urwin to keep the deficit to one for the Magpies.
Just before the halftime whistle, a Chorley corner whipped in to the near post was met by Scott Wilson, who rose high to head the ball powerfully past the keeper, setting up an exciting second half at Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
Chorley started the second half well, gaining control of the ball and putting the Kidderminster defence under pressure.
In the 54th minute, it was déjà vu for Chorley when another in-swinging corner, this time met by Mark Ellis, resulted in a goal. Ellis’s bullet header leaving Christian Dibble rooted to the spot, giving Chorley an important lead with just over thirty-five minutes to play.
The Magpies once again found themselves in a good position on the edge of the box; Tom Carr had a free header in a tight space, but it was saved well by the Kidderminster keeper, sparking a counter-attack. The ball was played to Kiddy substitute Maliq Cadogan, whose curling effort was tipped over the bar magnificently by Matt Urwin to preserve the Magpie lead.
The Reds continued to push for an equaliser, but Chorley weathered the storm, earning a hard-fought 2-1 victory in an impressive showing against a strong Kidderminster side.
Goals: Brown (9'), Wilson (44'), Sampson (54').
Bookings: Hewitt (8'), Blakeman (57'), McNally (76'), Foulkes (85').
Chorley: Urwin, Henley, Ellis, Wilson, Blakeman, Nolan (Smith, 82'), Calveley, Clarke, Hewitt (Rice, 90'), Carr (Horbury, 73'), Sampson.
UP NEXT: We travel to Mossley in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round next Saturday.
