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Home > 2008-09 Season > Match Reports > Chorley (26.12.08)

MATCH REPORT

Chorley 3 Bamber Bridge 1

Northern Premier Football League 1st Division North

at Victory Park

Friday 26th December 2008

By Dave Rowland

Chorley came from a goal down in the second-half to win, what was the 30th derby between the two clubs since Brig joined the ‘Pyramid’ back in 1990-91. Bamber Bridge had most of the possession before the break and after they had taken a 53rd minute lead the signs looked ominous for Chorley. However, a spirited fight-back by ‘The Magpies’ brought its just reward with a comfortable victory against their lacklustre neighbours. Bamber Bridge seemed to have completely lost their way in recent times and this reverse means that the South Ribble side have conceded no fewer that 20 goals in their last four games.

Chorley were desperate to arrest a poor run of results which has seen the Victory Park side lose 10 out of their previous 12 outings in league and cup. Without a game during the week, ’The Magpies’ were beaten 1-3 last weekend against West Yorkshire side Wakefield, in what was, their fourth consecutive defeat on home soil. Chorley were therefore keen to start picking up some much-needed points in order to avoid being dragged into the relegation ‘dog-fight’ towards the end of season. Meanwhile, neighbours Bamber Bridge, smarting from their 1-4 League President’s Cup defeat at Irongate against Trafford on Tuesday night, were hoping to bounce back and keep the pressure on league leaders Halifax Town. The clubs had exchanged positions at the top of the table last weekend when the Yorkshiremen took advantage of Brig‘s postponed game against Rossendale United with an impressive 4-1 at Radcliffe Borough.

Chorley boss Tony Hesketh made just one change to the side that had lost to Wakefield on Saturday; bringing Mike Eckersley back into midfield in preference to Adam Farrell who took his place on the bench.

Not surprisingly, Brig manager Phil Entwistle made no less than four changes to his starting line-up from the game against Trafford during the week. Jamie Nay returned at full-back replacing Colin McAllister. Adam Tong replaced youngster Krystian Liptrot at the heart of the defence. Steve Flitcroft and Ryan-Zico Black were preferred in midfield to Mark Edmeads and Mike Mason.

Chorley kicked off on a bright and sunny Boxing Day afternoon at Victory Park and there was a flurry on activity at both ends in the opening minutes of the game. Chorley were first to show when Roger Sharrock out-foxed Jamie Nay and Adam Tong down the left but his shot was comfortably saved at the near post by Brig goalkeeper Andy Banks, whilst at the other end a Stephen Brown snap-shot skimmed just wide of the goalpost.

Then on five minutes Brig almost got their noses in front as Chorley goalkeeper Peter Collinge tipped over an Anthony Murt pot-shot following a Brown corner-kick. Chorley came close to opening their account themselves shortly afterwards, when a Mike Eckersley drive flew narrowly over after a fine cross from the left by Gavin-Lee Ellison.

After this frenetic opening phase things began to settle down and there was no real goalmouth incident until the 20th minute when both Chris Ward and Chris Smalley just failed to get on the end of a well struck Eckersley free-kick for Chorley.

Bamber Bridge began to look more comfortable on the ball pushing their hosts back on their defences and had the bulk of the possession. Indeed, they almost broke through on the half-hour mark with a resourceful move through the middle when Anthony Murt and Tom Ince combined to set up Alex Porter. Collinge made a fine save to keep out Brig’s leading marksman, tipping the shot around the post for a corner.

Just before the break Porter was again involved when his cross-shot drifted just wide of the far post following a neat Brown pass which had split the home defence.

Chorley came out in the second-half in determined mood and nearly got a goal within minutes of the restart when Chris Ward put in Stephen Burke with a superb through-ball but Tong and Banks reacted quickly to snuff out the danger.

However, Bamber Bridge got their noses in front on 53 minutes. Collinge rose to punch out a cross whilst under pressure from Murt and the ball dropped to the feet of DANNY MAHONEY, who had just come on as a substitute at half-time. Mahoney delightfully lifted his shot into the roof of the net from just outside the area.

Chorley struck back with a vengeance and scored twice within as many minutes. A tremendous cross by Ellison was headed in at the back post by ROGER SHARROCK on 58 minutes and two minutes later the home side were ahead when former Brig striker CHRIS WARD found the net from close in following a telling lay-off by Michael West.

Chorley were now in the driving seat against an ever-desperate looking Brig side who had simply run out of ideas. However, Mahoney did come close for the visitors on 72 minutes when his free-kick was saved by Collinge who got down well to keep the effort out.

The game was put beyond Brig’s reach ten minutes from time when Daniel McGahan broke free down the right flank and his long looping cross was touched home at the back post by a grateful ADAM FARRELL.

Chorley: Peter Collinge, Danny Finch, Rob Henry, James Mullineux, Chris Smalley, Michael West, Mike Eckersley, (Daniel McGahan 74mins), Gavin Lee Ellison, Chris Ward, Stephen Burke (Adam Farrell 79mins), Roger Sharrock. Unused subs: Adam Crossley, Danny Nolan and Matthew Walsh.

Goals: Roger Sharrock (58min), Chris Ward (60mins), Adam Farrell (80mins)

Bamber Bridge: Andy Banks, Jamie Nay, Ryan Bowen, Gleen Steel, Adam Tong, Steve Flitcroft, Steve Brown, Ryan-Zico Black (Danny Mahoney 45mins), Anthony Murt (Allan Fleming 66mins), Alex Porter, Tom Ince (Michael Mason 66mins). Unused subs: Colin McAllister and Mark Edmeads.

Goals: Danny Mahoney (53mins)

Attendance: 428