Words: Ben Nixon, Images: David Airey.
CHORLEY came from two goals down to reign victorious and beat Chester by three-goals-to-two on Saturday afternoon at the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium.
Andy Preece's side started brightly, taking control of the early exchanges, with Kole Hall proving lively in possession.
The Magpies came close to an opener when an Adam Blakeman corner caused chaos in the Chester box, but the visitors managed to scramble the ball clear.
Despite Chorley’s strong start, it was the visitors who struck first. A perfectly weighted outside of the foot pass from Taelor O’Kane split the Magpies’ defence, finding Dan Turner in space. Turner squared it to Tom Peers, who slotted it past Matt Urwin to give the Seals the lead.
Less than ten minutes later, Chester doubled their advantage, with Peers once again on the scoresheet. Tom Leak’s volleyed effort looked set to head wide, deflected, but Peers got the slightest touch to steer it past Matt Urwin and secure his brace.
Chorley responded swiftly. A scramble between Jimmy Storer in goal and Mike Calveley resulted in the ball finding the back of the net. Referee Harry Jones ruled no foul, and the Magpies halved the deficit; restoring the roaring atmosphere at the Grant Store Victory Park.
Building on their momentum, Chorley created another attack down the right wing. Hall controlled the ball well with his chest before laying it off perfectly. The following cross was held up inside the box before falling to George Horbury, who guided a precise finish into the bottom left corner.
Chorley proceeded to dominate possession but couldn’t carve out any openings, as the referee blew his half time whistle to end a thrilling opening 45 minutes of football.
The hosts were the better of the sides after the restart, enjoying possession and forcing the Chester defence to react. Hall found himself in behind a couple of times but brave goalkeeping kept the game level.
Chester grew into the half, earning a corner from a well worked period of play in front of their loud away supporters. The resulting corner was cleared well by the Magpies.
Both sides continued to search for an advantage, with Chester looking to exploit the aerial presence of target man Peers through long balls, while Chorley showcased some dangerous attacking play through Hall and Carr.
It was Chorley who found the third, executing a superbly planned set piece and who else but Mark Ellis to deliver. Rising at the back post, Ellis powered a header past the keeper, sparking celebrations among the Chorley supporters behind the goal and a delighted Andy Preece in the dugout.
Anticipation filled the stadium as fans expected a prolonged spell of added time following a mid-half clash. The fourth official indicated five minutes of stoppage time with the magpies looking to defend their lead.
Chorley defended exceptionally to prevent Chester’s last-ditch attempts to find an equaliser. As the referee blew the final whistle, Victory Park erupted with celebration in what was a superb comeback for Chorley.
