Magpies trawl up another victory

A routine 2-0 victory '“ Chorley's fourth out of five in February '“ heaped more pressure on relegation-threatened Lowestoft in the National League North.
Darren Stephenson's late strike settled any nervesDarren Stephenson's late strike settled any nerves
Darren Stephenson's late strike settled any nerves

The Trawlerboys offered little attacking threat and were only still in the game until the 91st minute of a scrappy contest because of lack of composure by the home strikers in front of goal.

The Magpies went in 1-0 up at the interval but it should have been at least three and after a flat second half the home fans, in another good crowd of 913, had to wait until added time to cheer the decisive second goal.

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Leading scorer Jake Reed presented the visitors’ only serious goal-threat and he was only just denied by the outrushing Sam Ashton in an early raid.

That apart, Chorley dominated the first half and there was an inevitability about the opening goal on 27 minutes.

Darren Stephenson’s fierce dipping drive brought an athletic save out of keeper Ben Killip.

But from the resulting corner, Adam Roscoe stole in to plant a firm header – unchallenged – into the net.

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Then from another corner, Andy Teague’s header clipped the bar.

Stephenson should have doubled Chorley’s lead when teed up by Roscoe’s lay-off but under no pressure he rushed his shot from 10 yards and fired wastefully wide.

Jordan Connerton too failed to deliver when picked out beyond the far post with a well-flighted free-kick.

Lowestoft raised their game after the break and Ashton had to dash from goal to close down Reed who had broken through down the right.

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The visitors increasingly forced Chorley back but the home defence stood firm.

On the counter-attack, Connerton miscued his attempt to convert an inviting centre from Stephenson and later at full stretch headed over a blistering cross from Roscoe.

Finally, in the first minute of added time, a flowing move down the left enabled Connerton to show fine close control and centre perfectly for Stephenson to score comfortably and give Chorley’s winning margin a more realistic look.

CHORLEY: Ashton, Ross, Jarvis, Teague, O’Brien (Charnock 54), Roscoe, Lynch, Whitham, Connerton, Stephenson (Dorney 90), Cottrell. Subs (not used): Dean, Bailey, Field.

Attendance : 913.