Cheers for Chorley on their big night in the FA Cup
WITH 68 minutes on the clock, Wolves were in trouble – and manager Nuno Espirito Santo knew it!
On came their star players Ruben Neves, Adama Traore and Pedro Neto in an attempt to stop the Chorley onslaught.
Traore immediately rattled into Lewis Baines late in front of the Chorley bench before squaring up to the smiling Magpies boss Jamie Vermiglio and his staff. The Premier League side knew they were in a game.
Wolves certainly didn’t have it all their own way after Vitinha’s wonderful 35yard strike had crashed high into the hosts’ net in the 11th minute which turned out to be the winner.
“If you are going to lose, I would prefer to lose to a goal like that than a scruffy goal,” said Vermiglio, whose side played with the spirit of their 1986 FA Cup heroes that beat Wolves. “If it is 2-0 or 3-0 at half-time the game is done and people are turning their TVs off. That did not happen. I felt we were in the game. Every player was outstanding.
“We looked like we were going to score every time we went into the box. I just thought the lads were tremendous, I feel proud, I said to them ‘thank you’. These in our lives don’t come often and they’ve given me a moment and the Chorley community a fantastic moment in such difficult times.”
Vitinha’s stunner was the only the second time Wolves had been limited to just one shot on target this season – the first was against Manchester City!
Chorley, who had beaten Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and Derby County in their history-making run, had gone close even before the deadlock was broken as Elliot Newby volleyed straight at John Ruddy within the first minute.
A barrage of fireworks went up behind the main stand and then Vitinha let go of his rocket that swerved from left to right and beat Matt Urwin.
Yet it didn’t faze Chorley, and the industrious Willem Tomlinson volleyed wide with a half chance from the edge of the box.
Groundsman Ben Kay did another superb job on the pitch, arguably too favour moments able for their visitors, amid a barrage of heavy rain during the week.
But Wolves passed the ball slowly from side to side and back again, too cautious and not direct enough, although Chorley were tireless and kept their shape brilliantly.
Then in the second half the National League North side played further up the pitch and instantly Connor Hall headed at Ruddy when he should have done better before volleying over.
Their big chance came from Tomlinson’s corner routine which picked out the unmarked Andy Halls at the
back post and his header was excellently tipped over by Ruddy.
Wolves were on the ropes and the pressure mounted when Harry Cardwell nipped in ahead of England international Connor Coady, who kicked him instead of the ball and was booked.
That was the final straw for Nuno, who had made six changes from his team that lost to West Brom last time out but still included the likes of Joao Moutinho, Willy Boly and record signing, £35.6m striker Fabio Silva. His reinforcements from the bench did steady the ship but it was still a nervy finale in what was an uncomfortable evening throughout for them.
“It was tough, but the boys stuck together, a win is a win,” said Nuno on just their second victory in their last eight games. “The pitch is difficult but the boys adapted well, difficult to keep possession and the speed of the ball. Credit to Chorley they put us against the ropes with long balls and they have a good striker who wins a lot of balls, it was tough.
“The scene was set for us to lose this game. John Ruddy did his job, everybody knows his quality. He helped us to win the game.”
STAR MAN: Andy Halls (Chorley) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
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