Happiness is a hot pie and historic win
TALKING to a steward at The Chorley Group Victory Park Stadium he said that Chorley was the most miserable town in Lancashire.
The look on the faces of the travelling faithful at the end of Saturday’s game was anything but, miserable.
The fact is, our first win over the magpies in more than a century was well worth the short trip, the result of course, the pies are exceptional even the weather was in fine form.
We arrived on the Fingerpost Flyer in plenty of time to wander through the park (strange that there was no path to the turnstiles) grabbed a pie and a spot in the sun.
Chorley, prior to Saturday, were unbeaten at home this season, hardly conceding a goal they have a mean defence and against County that reputation stood firm however as the game progressed it became clear that they had no answer to Danny Lloyd or debutant James Hooper.
We started the brighter, constantly pushing forward while the home side hardly had a meaningful attack until very late in the game.
James Hooper had a decent debut without setting the world on fire, his pace was a constant threat and while he had a couple of decent chances it was clear he wasn’t quite match fit.
But I think Jim might have unearthed another decent player who might just help with our push towards the play-offs.
Half-time came and it was a surprise that the score was still 0-0.
Indeed it wasn’t until the 72nd minute that the breakthrough we deserved finally came, Danny Lloyd rode the last gasp challenge, found himself one on one with the keeper and duly slid the ball into the far corner for his first away goal of the campaign.
Before that Hooper had gone close and Josh Amis had two great chances in two minutes, he did well to get on the end of each cross but just couldn’t find the final touch.
The home side raised their game in the final ten minutes forcing several corners but Clarke and Smalley were immense, winning every header that came their way. Montrose, Minihan, Ross and Stopforth were, at times, hoofing the ball away but needs must and it was a useful tactic and when deep into stoppage time Chorley did get a shot on target, Ben Hinchcliffe made a worldy of a save that was just as important as the goal.
We’re on the up and it feels great!