Chorley FC Women cannot find a way through

Chorley FC Women lost their FAWNL Division One North fixture by a single goal at home to Brighouse Town Women.

This was the third time the sides had met this season, with Brighouse winning in the opening fixture of the season and Chorley victorious when they met in the cup in December.

There was a cold, blustery wind making conditions hard for any kind of passing game – with the ball refusing to stay still for goal kicks, let alone be conducive for that perfectly weighted defence-splitting pass.

Both sides had real trouble stringing together any significant number of passes, and the wind blowing towards the Chorley goal meant most of the first half action was inside the Magpies’ half.

Brighouse applied pressure throughout the half, but with Megan Searson (right) and Betti Worth in the centre of defence, they were unable to find a way through.

The home side had Rachel Darbyshire back in goal after recovering from an ankle injury,.

And she was soon called into action, making good saves a couple of times in the first half, including a fingertip save over the bar, after a well hit shot took a wicked deflection off Searson – causing Darbyshire to seemingly change direction in mid air.

Despite Brighouse building pressure and showing some good movement to beat the Chorley back four, their goal was an anti-climactic affair which seemed to catch everyone by surprise – including the Magpies. In the 40th minute a sudden shot from 25 yards from Aimi Beresford found the corner of the net, the defence were backing off expecting a through pass, the goalkeeper was caught flat footed, and even the players on the pitch looked confused.

On balance of play and chances, Brighouse deserved their one goal lead at half-time.

In the second half Chorley had the wind in their favour and they looked a far more confident side.

Brighouse were still dangerous on the break, but the Magpies started to play more in the opposition half and started to test the visiting keeper.

As the half wore on the home side had some good chances, but Brighouse keeper Carrie Simpson – making her debut for the club –was equal to all of them.

In the last 10 minutes Chorley had three shots on target which Simpson had no right to save. It felt like it was just not meant to be.