REPORT BY WINNERS LAD

With Chorley being two leagues above Leek Town in the football pyramid, progression in the Isuzu FA Trophy was always going to be a big ask for the Blues before being made even more difficult when they had to go into the game without their two main strikers, with both Tim Grice and Rob Stevenson having picked up injuries in the midweek win over Widnes and not being risked with important league games to come, and Tom Thorley unavailable due to being cup tied.

However, despite a 1-0 defeat Neil Bakers side could return to Staffordshire with their heads held high after running their hosts close with a game plan and performance based on defensive resilience to keep the game as tight as possible and to exploit any opportunities they could create.

The plan was almost blown out of the water after just 10mins though when two consecutive sweeping cross field passes from the Magpies ended with Connor Hall chesting down and then volleying the ball against Danny Roberts crossbar with a rasping effort.

It was an early escape for the Blues and, for the entire first half, the two league gulf between the teams clearly showed as they were pinned back into their half as the hosts dominated possession with Willem Tomlinson dictating the pace of play from the middle of the park and Justin Johnson proving a continual threat down the right.

Unable to develop any meaningful attacks themselves the Blues defended stoically. In a 4-4-2 formation Ross Davidson was brought in to bolster the midfield and, along with Marc Grocott, Billy Reeves and Will Hugill, worked tirelessly to protect the back four. For their part Olly Harrison and Josh Ryder were ably dealing with the crosses Chorley were putting in looking for the height of Jack Sampson whilst Jesse Bavanganga and Louis Keenan were doing well to stifle the Magpies attacks down the flanks. And apart from a couple of hairy moments inside the area the Blues were able to restrict Chorley to efforts from distance which Roberts was able to save comfortably.

All the good defensive work was undone however on the stroke of half time. In trying to launch a counterattack the ball was given away in midfield and for once Leek had players out of position resulting in Ryder being isolated against the pacy Johnson who managed to drive past the centre half into the area. Roberts made a fine save from Johnson's shot but unfortunately Sampson was on hand with the easiest task of putting the rebound into the empty net to give the Magpies a lead at the break.

CHORLEY 1- LEEK TOWN 0 HT

Whilst the first half was distinctly one sided the second half certainly was not as Leek made it a more even contest and should have been awarded a penalty on 50mins when a Harrison header towards goal struck the outreached arm of a Chorley defender but for some inexplicable reason the referee waved play on.

Unperturbed the Blues continued to press and Chorley, having had to substitute 2 players in 2mins for sustained injuries had been knocked out of their stride and suddenly became the counterattacking team. Sampson fired over on one such break when he should have at least hit the target before Leek had their best spell of the game.

A foul on Davidson in the 64th min gave Dan Trickett-Smith the opportunity from a free kick that he enjoys but this time his effort took a slight deflection off the wall to make it a comfortable save for Matt Urwin before the Blues forced a series of corners to test the Magpies defence.

From one of them the ball was initially cleared but won back by Reeves and fed wide to Keenan who flashed a dangerous cross across the 6yd box but unfortunately no Leek player could get a vital touch on it.

A minute later, on 72 mins a good passing move released Tom Carr down the right and attack the Chorley area. Carr's square ball across the area was perfect for Davidson to run onto and hit from a central area but the midfielder chose to dummy the ball for Trickett-Smith behind him which was anticipated by a Magpies defender and a great chance had gone.

Back came the Blues once more and the ball was quickly worked over to the left to leave Grocott with a one on one with a Chorley defensder. The Leek captain beat the defender with a deft feint and fired in a left foot effort that looked destined for the far corner before Urwin produced an excellent save flying low to his left to tip the ball round for a corner.

It was the conclusion to a period of play in which the Blues were well on top and needed to score but unfortunately didn't, and Chorley began to get more of a control once more. Joe Nolan had a volley fly just over Roberts bar and Harrison had to produce a great block to deny Sampson his second goal of the game. Johnson was then sent clear on the break but shot wide when you expected him to score and Leek still had hope.

Trickett-Smith got on the end of a ball over the top of the Chorley defence on 80mins and lobbed it over Urwin into the net but had been deemed to use an arm to initially control it and the play was pulled back for the free kick.

Neil Baker sent on Lucas Baker for Davidson as an extra attacker for the last 10 mins and the youngster showed some neat foot work inside the area to create a shooting opportunity for himself on 89mins but then needlessly tried to beat an extra defender and lost the chance to shoot before a difficult injury time opportunity for him saw his snap shot sail wide.

So, in the end, a narrow defeat for Leek and on the overall balance of play and chances created Chorley deserved their victory but the Blues will look back on the penalty decision and the spell where they came close to forcing an equaliser and will wonder what might have been had the managed to bring the scores level at that point.

CHORLEY 1- LEEK TOWN 0 FT

The Blues now return to the F.Ball Community Stadium on Saturday where they face Colne FC

Tickets for the game are available HERE

Highlights for the game are available HERE

Leek Town line up as follows

1. Roberts

2. Bavanganga

3. Keenan

4. Grocott (c)

5. Harrison

6. Ryder

7. Hugill

8. Reeves

9. Carr

10. Trickett-Smith

11. Davidson replaced by Baker (82)

Substitutes : Stevenson, Wara (unused)

Attendance : 748