Frickley Athletic 2 Chorley 1 (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Frickley Athletic 2 Chorley 1

12:20pm Monday 16th January 2012 in Chorley FC

THIS was a classic example of a game of two halves and a missed opportunity for promotion-chasing Chorley against a side on the fringe of the relegation battle.

On a very poor playing surface that was only finally passed fit for play an hour before kick-off, the Magpies looked winners at half time but were rocked by Frickley’s spirited second-half fightback, which deservedly brought them victory.

Although dominating possession, Chorley created few clear chances before the break, the best of them a bullet header by Andy Teague from a corner, which home keeper Steve Dickinson athletically tipped over the bar.

But the visitors were gifted an opening goal on 41 minutes.

Tom Ince’s first-time angled volley appeared to be missing the far post when, in attempting to clear, defender Ben Turner lucklessly diverted the ball into his own net.

Frickley, having posed little threat in the first period, were a team transformed after the break. Chorley keeper Russ Saunders saved well at the near post with his defenders outnumbered in a swift home raid but an equaliser was always coming and Frickley skipper Stuart Ludlam celebrated his birthday on 75 minutes by racing in to plant a powerful downward header from a corner past the helpless Saunders.

Frickley’s comeback was completed five minutes later, though from the Magpies’ point of view it was an avoidable goal.

Jamie Vermiglio was guilty of an impetuous challenge out wide but just inside the box, and James Ashmore emphatically converted the resultant penalty.

Comments are closed on this article.