WILSON DOES THE BUSINESS
Chorley snatch late win
LEADERS Chorley maintained their perfect start to the season with a goal in added time after a tense encounter with a feisty Hereford side.
It was no more than they deserved after a professional and workmanlike performance against a tough and determined opposition who showed no signs of rolling over and just handing over three points.
Victory in the end was deserved as the Magpies dominated the second half, though it looked as if a goalless stalemate was likely.
Especially after a worldclass save by Bulls’ keeper Martin Horsell who flipped a point blank Josh Wilson header over the bar.
But the Chorley substitute had the final say two minutes into added time.
Clever play by Matt Challoner on the right by-line led to a low centre which Wilson turned into the corner of the net from six yards.
Neither side was able to establish control in a cagey first half.
The hosts got in more shots but usually off target.
However, Horsell made a smart near post save from Alex Newby when it seemed likely the ball could squeeze in.
Hereford built promisingly down the left with Danny Greenslade prominent but the final ball tended to be wayward.
For Chorley, Marcus Carver ended a corkscrew dribble with a floated shot just past the far post and then Alex Newby was close with a looping header from a right wing centre.
Urged on by the majority of a crowd of 1,532, Chorley finally clinched another memorable victory as they extended their run of clean sheets to five out five league games after seven and a half hours of football.
Hereford manager Peter Beadle was honest in his assessment of his side’s performance but refused to be too downcast with the result.
He said: “We’ve played a top side today who will feel they deserved to win on second half chances created in the game.
“They’ve had more shots than us and Martin Horsell has had to make some fine saves.
“But if this is the best this league has to offer, we still fancy our chances.”
Magpies’ boss Jamie Vermiglio was understandably delighted with a hard earned victory.
“Hereford worked very hard with good shape and full credit to them for that performance,” Vermiglio said.
“We struggled in the first half to break them down but the boys took the game to another level in the second half and in the end deserved their victory.
“I feel more proud of this win than any of the other four”
Hereford will feel hard done by as they played some good football and cre- ated chances but it was the home side who were clinical and ensured that they took all three points when it mattered most.
For both teams this will be an interesting indication of what is required this season if they are to be successful in the league and challenge the places at the top.