Chorley win

Challenge Trophy: Chorley 1-0 Lancaster City

Report by Niall Concannon (UCLan)
CHORLEY 1-0 LANCASTER CITY
Partners Foundation Challenge Trophy semi final
Wednesday 28th March
The County Ground, Lancashire FA HQ
Goalscorers: Walker (18)

A first-half goal from Jason Walker was enough to send Chorley through to the Partners Foundation Challenge Trophy final with victory over Lancaster City.

Magpies boss Matt Jansen described the game as a ‘potential banana skin’ in his post-match interview, and this was very nearly the case. Lancaster, the team in the division below Jansen’s side, showed a very spirited and determined performance and were unlucky not to get a result. 

The game was a well fought battle and could have gone either way, but Chorley used their experience to edge past the Evo-Stik Premier Division side.

Lancaster started the better of the two teams. Striker Charlie Bailey almost opened the scoring after three minutes, leaping well to attack a great cross by Sam Bailey, which was met by a fantastic point-blank save by Chorley keeper Matt Urwin.

The Dollies continued to push for an opener, and Bailey nearly finished after opening up his body from a wayward defensive header, but he saw his effort go wide.

City’s Ryan Winder made a very bright start and almost got his reward when he pounced on a loose ball, but Chorley's Urwin came out well to close down the danger. 

Chorley started to come in to the game and were unlucky not to score after 13 minutes when striker Jason Walker fire across goal, but there was no one there to follow up at the back post. 

Chorley’s goal came after 18 minutes when a fast counter attack saw Delial Brewster slip past the defender with some tricky footwork before firing a shot across the keeper, who could do nothing but parry the ball in to the path of Walker, who slotted home. 

Lancaster will have felt hard done by going into the break after being on top for much of the first half. 

Chorley came out in the second half with a bit more intent, and had two shots from outside the box, but they didn’t trouble Elliot Wynne in the Lancaster goal. 

The Magpies almost doubled their lead after 54 minutes; Brewster demonstrated great hold up play, and then fed through Luke Burgess, but the attacker couldn’t find the target from seven yards out. 

Phil Brown’s side asked questions of the Chorley defence - Connor Simpson went through on goal in the 59th minute, but saw his effort saved by Urwin.

Chorley saw the game out however and will now join Clitheroe in the final at Macron Stadium on Monday 23rd April.

Chorley’s Matt Jansen gave his thoughts on the game. He said: “It was a professional performance, first half was nip and tuck, but the second half we I think we were a little bit better, and a little bit more professional.”

Lancaster City’s Phil Brown was obviously devastated after the game. He said: “I thought we played very well. The first goal is always important, but I thought we showed great resilience and was unlucky not to get the equaliser.

Chorley: Urwin, Challoner, Molyneux, Teague (c), Leather, Hughes, Burgess (O’Keefe, 84), Witham, Brewster (Carver, 75), Walker, Cottrell.
Subs not used: Lightfoot, Wilson, Jordan

Lancaster City: Wynne, Hudson, Dugdale, Akrigg, Steel, Mercer, Winder, Bailey (Tam, 66), Simpson, Carney (c) (Kilifin, 85), Bailey (Wills, 78)
Subs not used: Preston, Williams