Chorley vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley Rovers made the long trip up to Chorley in Lancashire for this FA Trophy Preliminary round.
It was the home side that made all the early running and on 12 minutes got their first chance on goal but Dean Butterworth could only fire his shot straight at Gresley keeper Dale Belford.
Belford was called on to make a fine save on 15 minutes from a point blank shot from Butterworth after Jamie Vermiglio had got behind the visitor's defence. Butterworth's follow up strike was expertly headed away by Leigh Everitt.
Play then went to the other end of the field and Gresley were awarded a free kick 25yrds out that tested home keeper Paul Eatock when Leon Doughty hit a thunderous shot.
Doughty then went one better when he opened the scoring with a wonder goal. The midfielder looked up and spotted the keeper well off his line and sent up a lob from fully 45 yrds that cleared the bewildered Eatock and into the back of the net.
The lead lasted just one minute. Straight from the restart the ball went towards the Gresley end and Chorley managed to get a free kick that was taken by Jamie Bates. He swung in the ball that was met by Vermiglio who headed across the goal to Alex Porter waiting at the far post and he made no mistake has he headed into the net.
Gresley ad a decent penalty shout turned down on 37 minutes when Ian Bold appeared to handle in the area. And, with time running out in the first period, Shaun Harrad put in a superb cross that Steve Lenagh only just failed to connect with. Then, Danny Haynes was called on to deny Butterworth with a superbly timed challenge.
Gresley came out and made a good start to the second half and Lenagh's pass was helped on by Doughty to Carl Slater whose goal bound shot was blocked by the falling Vermiglio.
Lenagh then released Harrad who did well to hold off his marker Dean Reppulo before shooting just wide of the target.
On 58 minutes it was the turn of the home side to go close when Bold played a good ball through to Ian Barker who in turn put in a cross that was cleared at the expense of a corner by Everitt. Then moments later Barker made a chance for Phil Bayliss but his cross was just to high for the awaiting Bates.
Five minutes later Gresley got what proved to be the winner. Jamie Barrett played a pinpoint pass to Harrad who helped the ball onto Lenagh. The Gresley front man hit his shot that was pushed away by Eatock but Lenagh reacted well held his nerve and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper despite the close attention of two Chorley defenders.
Despite bringing on three substitutes Chorley never again looked like scoring has Gresley defended resolutely. They had half a chance when Matt Smith tripped substitute Harford but Alex Porter put the freekick just wide of the upright.
Gresley could have increased their lead when Harrad collected Richard Wardle's pass before crossing to Doughty, he chested the ball down before putting his shot into the side netting.
Gary's views of the game
We weren't at our best today so to come away from such an important game with the win was excellent. Chorley are a well organised hard working outfit and their shape stopped our midfield from functioning as they done in the past few games.
The 1st half was quite scrappy and it took a wonder goal from Leon Doughty to kick start the game into life and what a goal it was. I saw him shaping up for the shot and couldnt believe my eyes when it went in.
To concede 90 seconds later was a sickener, particularly after we had given away a needless free kick to set up the chance.
Second half, I felt we functioned better as a team and looked the better side. We looked solid at the back, worked hard in midfield and the boys up top caused more problems.
After Steve's goal we completely shut up shop and the experience of some of our players showed in the last 15 to 20 minutes as we absorbed some good pressure without really giving Chorley any clearcut opportunities.
The support today was superb. It really does make a difference to the players when you go on tough away trips like today and see so many of our supporters have travelled too.
Everyone involved deserves credit for todays result but thats done now and we must focus our efforts on next weeks trip to Evesham.
Chorley (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Scorers: Potter 21 (Chorley); Doughty 20, Lenagh 63 (Gresley Rovers)
Chorley: Eatock, Baylis, Bates, Southwood, Repullo (Cooper
77), Jones, Vermiglio (Harford 65), Bold (Tulloch 83), Butterworth, Barker, Porter. Subs not used: Lockett, Bracey.
Gresley Rovers: Belford, Everitt, Cheetham, Smith, Haynes, Barrett, Doughty, Slater, Harrad, Lenagh, Wardle. Subs not used: Moran, Kitching, Hebberd, Alexander, Clarke.
Rovers Star Man: Leon Doughty – scored a wonder goal to cap a fine display.
Referee: G Lomas (Sheffield).
Attendance: 299
