Words: Ben Nixon, Images: David Airey
CHORLEY got themselves back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, beating Leamington 2-1 thanks to a Danny Ormerod brace to put the Magpies three points clear at the top of the Vanarama National League North table.
Both teams started the game well, enjoying periods of possession in the attack but without creating any significant chances.
The first real opportunity fell to Chorley’s Momodou Touray, who attempted a half-volley inside the Leamington box, only to see his strike blocked and cleared.
Building on their attacking momentum, Chorley saw Dubem Eze take a shot from the edge of the box minutes later. His curling attempt, however, sailed just over the bar, keeping the game level.
Midway through the first half, Chorley capitalised on an advantage played by referee Joe Moss. Some excellent work on the left wing allowed Touray to set up Danny Ormerod, who calmly slotted his shot past the Leamington goalkeeper to give the Magpies the lead on 22 minutes.
Danny Ormerod celebrates his first goal for the Magpies (David Airey)
Leamington responded against the run of play, equalizing with a rebounded effort from Henry Landers that beat Matt Urwin with 10 minutes of normal time left in the first half.
Chorley almost regained the lead when Harvey Smith had the ball in the net from a corner, only for the referee to disallow it due to a foul in the box. Minutes later, a goalmouth scramble nearly saw Andy Preece’s side pull ahead again, but the visitors just about managed to clear their lines.
Just before half-time, Chorley’s persistence paid off. Ormerod found space on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful low strike into the bottom corner, giving the Magpies a well-deserved lead going into the break.
The second-half started slowly, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. The first real opportunity came for Leamington’s Adam Walker, but his shot flew well over Urwin in goal.
Some half-chances followed for the Magpies, but there were no clear opportunities until the 70th minute when Eze turned brilliantly on the edge of the box to beat his man, only for his shot to deflect off a Chorley player and go out for a goal kick.
The game sparked to life with 20 minutes remaining. Ormerod, in search of his hat-trick, was denied by an excellent save from Callum Hawkins. Leamington countered quickly, with their winger whipping in a teasing cross, but no one was there to finish.
Touray had a chance to extend Chorley’s lead, going one-on-one with a defender before being brought down on the edge of the box. Blakeman’s free kick struck the wall, earning Chorley a corner.
Chorley continued to press Leamington in search of a third goal but ultimately settled for a 2-1 victory to keep the Magpies at the top of the table, three points clear of Scunthorpe United.
