Chorley 2 Lancaster 1

Chorley v Lancaster City @ Victory Park, Chorley

After Saturday’s victory over Cammell Laird, Lancaster manager Tony Hesketh said there would be 800,000 attending this game he was slightly wrong by about 799,500.

591 people gave the Champions league a miss to watch this Lacashire derby, compaired to Saturday’s dross this was a far better match.

City were woeful for the first 20 minutes or so as Chorley playing an Allardyce type of game(Hoof Ball) put City under intense pressure, going close with a spectacular over head kick, they eventually took the lead after 14 minutes when Cunliffe received the ball from a throw in and virtually ran unchallenged through the City defence to score easily. (Chorley 1 City 0)

It looked like it was going to a cricket score as another effort whistled by the post and City’s keeper saved well from another goal bound effort.

Then City took charge playing the ball on the floor and giving the promotion chasing home side chasing shadows. Young midfielder Alex Meaney began to take charge and began running the game.

Rushden had City’s first chance and with only the keeper to beat managed to blaze the ball over the bar, Meaney also had a great chance when a weaving run took to within sight of goal but his shot was tame and easily saved.

Half time arrived and the view from the visiting fans was that they still had a chance of getting something from the game.

City were immedialtely on the front foot and from a corner were presented with a gift, the Chorley keeper dropped the ball and with the goal gaping the ball fell to Rushden, the goal was still gaping after the shot from about 6 yards he hit the underside of the stand behind the goal.

Minutes later a superb pass from Meaney found Swarbrick whose scuffed shot was easily saved. Then when all seemed lost a poor Chorley clearence fell to Meaney’s left foot his first time volley flew into the net. (Chorley 1 City 1)

A further chance albeit harder was spurned by Kenworthy.

Chorley then got back into the game stung by the equaliser and penned City back, just as I thought City would hold out a scrambled goal 10 minutes from time gave them the lead and subsequently the points. Vermiglio got the goal. (Chorley 2 City 1)

City almost scrambled a deserved point but an effort from Kenyon was pushed past the post by the keeper.

Chorley 2 Lancaster City 1 Att 591