Chorley FC Women 5

Norton & Stockton Ancients 4

CHORLEY FC Women began life under the Magpies umbrella in spectacular fashion thanks to a dramatic 5-4 win over Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies at Victory Park.

The ladies team became affiliated to Chorley FC in the summer and, wearing the black and white stripes for the first time, came out on top in a nine-goal thriller with Rebecca Kemp netting a late winner.

Chorley started brightly and went ahead in the 15th minute when Scarlett Smith rose to head home the first of her two goals from a Laura Walker corner.

But Norton & Stockton Ancients drew level immediately when a lofted ball caught the defence out and Bianca Owens chipped over the advancing Rachel Darbyshire in the Chorley goal.

The home side regained the lead in the 23rd minute when Rachel Wood fired home a powerful shot from 25 yards following a poor clearance.

However, it was a lead they were to hold for just 10 minutes when Norton’s pacey winger, Nyci Thorns, sprung the offside and raced clear to bundle the ball home.

And the first half scoring didn’t stop there with both defences breached in a frantic five minutes before the break. Chorley took the lead for the third time in the match when a delightful ball was played into the area by Walker and Rebecca Kemp was on hand to smash the ball into the back of the net.

But once again, Chorley were unable to protect their lead as Sian Williams skipped around Darbyshire to make sure it was all square at half time

Norton then took the lead for the first time early in the second half when Owens stabbed home from close range for her second goal of the game.

But Smith made it 4-4 in the 64th minute then teed up Kemp who side footed home with eight minutes remaining.

Chorley Women: Rachel Darbyshire, Lisa Topping, Janet Mitchell, Kerry Nickson, Mel Ball, Rachel Wood, Grace Vella, Laura Walker, Rebecca Kemp, Scarlett Smith, Chloe Wild.