Extra-time header '˜Nicks' it for Chorley FC Women

Having played the North East outfit just two weeks before, Chorley knew that the opposition were a good passing side with a lot of threat down the wings.

The visitors started the game with a high tempo and dominated possession in the early exchanges.

They took the lead after four minutes when Chloe Wild released a powerful strike from just inside the area which was blocked by the defender.

However, the rebound fell kindly to Wild and she smashed the ball beyond Donnelly into the far corner.

After their slow start, Newcastle grew into the game and started to string passes together but the defensive block remained resolute.

In the 23rd minute, Chorley were given the opportunity to extend their lead. Vella was upended in the area and the referee pointed to the spot.

But Laura Walker’s spot-kick was saved by Donnelly and palmed to safety and Chorley were made to pay for that when the home side equalised a minute later.

A lovely passing move was finished by Megan McKenzie from close range.

Rachel Darbyshire was then forced to make a brilliant stop as a header looked destined to nestle into the bottom corner following a set-piece.

But Chorley had chances of their own too – Grace Vella and Wild were both denied by Newcastle keeper Donnelly.

As the game moved into extra time, Chorley had to dig in at times, but they managed to win when Kerry Nickson, up from the back, planted a header beyond Donnelly from a set-piece.