Words: Pete Tscherewik, Images: James Harrison
CHORLEY crashed out of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday afternoon at Spennymoor Town's expense, Isaac Fletcher's 65th minute wonder-goal the difference at The Brewery Field.
Both sides came out of the blocks quickly, Kole Hall stinging the palms of Brad James inside the opening two minutes before the hosts flashed a ball across the six-yard box that just evaded Rob Ramshaw.
The game continued to flow freely, end to end, with little to note in terms of chances, that before Matt Urwin was called on to deny Moors' dangerman, Glen Taylor who headed at goal from close range that needed a fantastic save from the Chorley captain to keep the game at 0-0.
Spennymoor continued to turn on the pressure in the final third and looked particularly dangerous on the counter-attack, but, were very nearly a goal behind before half-time, the ball cleared off the line twice in quick succession after goallmouth chaos came from two quick corners for the Magpies.
George Horbury fires towards goal for the Magpies (James Harrison)
Just past the hour mark and The Brewery Field was presented with a real moment of quality, Isaac Fletcher notching the opening goal of the tie with what can only be described as an absolute pearler of a shot from distance that left Matt Urwin with no chance of denying him.
Chorley, to their credit, immediately pushed hard for the equaliser and Mark Ellis squandered a half-chance with a free header from a corner having been left unmarked.
The Magpies huffed and puffed right to the final whistle but ultimately, the hosts held on resolutely to claim their spot in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.
Goal: Fletcher (65').
Bookings: Hall (45'), Moore (50'), Beals (74'), Ross (84'), Ellis (88'), Dyson (90').
Attendance: 625.
Chorley: Urwin, Moore (Henley, 65'), Ellis, Smith, Blakeman, Clarke, Nolan (Hewitt, 69'), Calveley, Horbury, Hall (Carr, 75'), Touray (Sampson, 75').
UP NEXT: We host Warrington Town at home, next Saturday, in the Vanarama National League North.
