After coming of the back of two last minute 1-0 defeats Chorley were determined not to let it happen again. It was going to be tough though against a Langho team who’d had a confidence building 5-4 win the week before.
Chorley lined up with a 4-4-2 formation with Callum Bedow (is that how you spell it??) in the goals Alex, Josh, Dan Edmundson and Sam across the back, Jake, Euan, Dan Neary and Luke in Midfield with Callum Neary and Jordan up front. The game kicked off in sunshine but on a pitch that was muddy in sections from the rain it had taken in the previous couple of days.
We have a habit of conceding early goals (10 seconds being the record!) so we’d spoken a lot of keeping it tight early on in the game. Unfortunately bad habits returned and after some sloppy defending Langho took the lead in the early stages. In previous seasons this would have lead to a heavy defeat but this team now shows huge character to comeback from setbacks and it wasn’t long before we equalised. Luke doing good work down the right hand side pulled the ball across to Callum who as always showed coolness in front of goal to slot home. Dan Neary picked up a slight injury 10 minutes before half time so Karnack replaced him in Midfield. Chorley were on top for the remaining part of the first half but couldn’t turn the possession into a second goal. Half Time 1-1.
At Half Time Jake (who’s just getting his match fitness) came off and Alex slotted into left midfield. Sam moved over to left back and Cameron came on at right back. The second half was a tense affair with both teams having chances but failing to score. It looked like Langho had scored with a shot destined for the bottom corner of the net but Callum somehow pulled of a great save to push it around the post for a corner. It was then Chorley’s turn and a great team move led to Karnack shooting just wide. A few more substitutions were made, Chris came on at left back, Jake came back on for Alex, Dan Neary returned in midfield and Sam showed his versatility by playing in his third position of the match by moving to centre forward for the last few minutes.
All Chorleys hard work finally paid off when Jordan hit a fantastic shot from outside of the box into the top corner of the net, 2-1 up the lads celebrated but knew the job wasn't finished yet. With only a few minutes left Chorley showed more of their new found belief to hold on and celebrate a well deserved win.
Every single lad showed fantastic character and everyone can be proud of their performance but a few special mentions go to Jake for winning the MOTM, Callum Bedow who is now showing real confidence to come off his line and sweep up behind the defence, Alex who was again really solid in only his 2nd appearance, Callum and Jordan for getting their partnership back on track with a goal each, Josh for using his pace to clear numerous dangerous situations and finally Euan who put in his best performance of the season in his new defensive midfield role. He’s really growing into this role and starting to put the captain’s performances in that we grew to expect last year.
Well done lads.
