Marine 0, Chorley 2: Magpies get season up and running
Chorley secure first win of the season away at Marine
Chorley produced a dominant performance to secure a 2-0 victory away to Marine on Tuesday evening, with first-half goals from Callum Rowe and Mike Calveley enough to claim all three points in Crosby.
The Magpies made a flying start, taking the lead inside the opening 90 seconds. Rowe stepped up to a free-kick and curled a superb effort low around the wall and into the bottom-left corner, leaving the Marine goalkeeper to pick the ball out of his own net.
Andy Preece’s side continued to control proceedings and doubled their advantage in the 27th minute. Max Hunt’s long ball caused problems at the back, with James Abankwah failing to make a clean connection with his header.
Calveley reacted quickest, showing excellent tenacity to battle for possession before creating half a yard of space and calmly placing his finish into the bottom corner.
Chorley came close to adding a third after the restart when Jack Moore’s corner picked out Harvey Smith inside the area. The defender rose highest but could only direct his header narrowly over the crossbar.
Essential breaking Lancashire news - sign up for our LP newsletter today
Naturally, Marine pushed forward in search of a route back into the contest as the second half progressed, but the Magpies remained resolute.
Li-Bau Stowell was called upon deep into stoppage time and produced an outstanding save from close range to deny James Potter and preserve his clean sheet.
Following their first win, Chorley now return to the Grant Store Victory Park Stadium on Saturday, when they welcome Scarborough Athletic.
Chorley: Stowell, Moore (Bird 85'), Hunt, Smith, Clarke (Henley 79'), Fielding, Calveley, Rowe, Bala (Hazlehurst 74'), Whitehouse, Taylor (Salmon 77'). Subs not used: Blakeman, Ellis, Popoola.