Words: Pete Tscherewik, Images: David Airey
CHORLEY suffered a heartbreaking late defeat at Needham Market, as the hosts came from behind to snatch a win after Kole Hall had given Andy Preece's side the lead in the first half. Despite a strong start from the Magpies, goals from Keiran Morphew and Luke Ingram secured Needham's first win in six matches.
Preece's men began with intent, and an early long-throw from Adam Blakeman led to a sharp save from Needham goalkeeper Marcus Garnham. Garnham was soon called into action again, this time misjudging a corner, but a Needham defender was on hand to clear the ball off the line and keep the score level.
Chorley’s pressure continued, and it finally paid off. Blakeman turned provider once more, sending in a pinpoint corner for Kole Hall to powerfully head home in the 25th minute.
Not long after, Tom Carr thought he had doubled the lead, but his goal was ruled offside in what appeared to be a controversial decision.
As the hour mark approached, Mark Ellis came agonisingly close to making it 2-0, his header from another set-piece crashing off the post before being cleared away.
Needham Market then found a surprise equaliser when captain Keiran Morphew fired past Matt Urwin with their first shot on target of the match.
The hosts seemed revitalized after the goal, pushing forward and forcing Urwin into his first save of the game in the dying moments of regular time.
In stoppage time, Needham won their first corner, but the referee, Benjamin McDonald, interrupted play to send off Mark Ellis for an off-the-ball incident and awarded a penalty. Urwin dived to his right and guessed correctly, but Luke Ingram's penalty found the bottom corner to give the hosts all three points in dramatic fashion.
