Words: Ryan Jacobs, Images: David Airey
CHORLEY had to settle for a share of the spoils at Blackwell Meadows after Kole Hall pegged back the hosts’ early opening goal.
Darlington took the lead inside 13 minutes, thanks to Caden Kelly, a fantastic free-kick struck from north of 30-yards. The dead ball was struck brilliantly, moving in the air and wrong-footing Matt Urwin in the process.
Due to the pitch, the game turned into back and fourth intervals of head tennis, and at times, both teams chose to play it long.
Following a throw-in, Billy Whitehouse danced down the left-hand side with the ball before cutting in on his stronger right-foot and in turn delivered a pinpoint cross onto the head of Kole Hall.
The Bermudan international expertly placed the header into the corner, leaving Peter Jameson stranded.
Darlington tried hitting back quickly on 36 minutes, Jack Maskell's looping header would have all eyes scrambling as it eventually found its way onto the bar.
After the restart, Kelly found himself in another promising position from a free-kick. It was yet another dipping moving ball and was whiskers away from finding the back of the net.
Whitehouse then did well to hold up the ball and win a corner, which Blakeman delivered well and saw Mike Calveley meet, but this time, head over.
Chorley's final chance of the game came from Blakeman, who curled a peach of a free-kick that looked destined for the top corner, but Jameson leapt well and tipped it over the bar.
The Magpies are back at home against Spennymoor Town this Saturday.
