THE second fixture of the season was a consecutive home game for Chorley Ladies at Euxton Villa.

It appeared to be the beginning of summer as the game began under the sun.

Chorley took the confidence from the previous week into the game and peppered the Tranmere goal within the opening half, but it was a spectacular 30 yard effort from Charlotte Higginson that flew into the top corner to send Chorley into the lead at half time after a heat controlled period of play.

The second half began slowly, with Chorley maintaining and enjoying possession; confidently passing it around but unable to penitrate. Tranmere remained resiliant, but never poised a threat as Janet Mitchell ensured her defence remained solid.

Around 75 minutes, the game had a much needed chill from a heavy shower which refreshed the fixture and increased the pace and quality of football from Chorley.

This was soon converted into goals. Ruth Harrison surged down the left and found the darting front post run from Vicky Coope who glanced the ball past the helpless Tranmere keeper.

Three minutes later Coope added her second. An almost replica run from Scarlett Smith again found Coope at the front post, Coope cooly collected the ball and hit hard into the back of the net.

Tranmere had a poor attacking performance and on 90 minutes were punished further by Higginson who doubled her tally with an equally brilliant second goal to her first.

Chorley looked very controlled, composed and confident throughout the 90minutes.

They are early leaders of the FA Womens Premier League Northern Division One and take a break from league action next week, to play Radcliffe Olympic in the League Cup.