Jack Sampson’s lone goal for Chorley helped the Magpies to a 1-0 National League North win over Bedford Town on Saturday afternoon (22 November) to secure their first victory in nine games.
Both sides had been dumped out of the FA Trophy last week; Chorley losing 3-2 at home to fellow sixth tier side, Worksop Town while the Eagles suffered a shock loss at home to step four club, Anstey Nomads.
Read: Anstey Nomads shock Bedford Town to continue historic FA Trophy run
Chorley’s last league victory came against Macclesfield on 20 September, but after a brilliant start to their league season, they had since dropped to 13th in National League North to match the league record of Bedford Town in 14th.
For Lee Bircham’s side, it’s back-to-back 1-0 losses as they now drop to 15th.
The hosts began well, with Chorley’s Tom Carr testing Nathan Ashmore in the early stages before firing wide from distance, and it took almost twenty minutes for Bedford to test Chorley’s ever-present goalkeeper, Matt Urwin.
Junior Gyamfi’s effort after a flowing forward move involving Marsh, Phillips and Greg Sandiford was spilled by Urwin, but the Chorley goalkeeper was quick to deny Marsh the rebound as he recovered well to keep his clean sheet.
He was also on hand to deny Ellis Brown from the edge of the area, as Bedford Town slowly worked their way into the encounter, although chances were few and far between, with Greg Taylor firing wide from an acute angle late in the first half.
Sampson hammer blow
It looked like both sides were to go into the changing rooms deadlocked, before Jack Sampson struck with what would be the game’s deciding goal.
His namesake, Jack Moore whipped in a free kick from the left channel, and found the forehead of Sampson, who glanced it past Ashmore and into the net to send the 1,000 Chorley fans in attendance into raptures.
The Chorley pressure continued into the second half; Mark Ellis’ free header was smuggled clear by Ashmore before Sam Brown cleared another shot off the line as the Magpies chased a second.
Further chances for Mike Calveley and Tom Walker only served to dampen the Eagles’ resolve, with the away side’s efforts restricted to ambitious acrobatic attempts, first from Barnsley loanee Connor Barratt, and then Ellis Brown as the clock ticked down.
A late red card for Chorley’s Joseph Nolan, just three minutes after replacing Milan Lalkovic, gave Bedford a slight hope but despite their best efforts, they failed to create any guilt-edged chances to respond as Chorley held on for what was a much-needed 1-0 win for Andy Preece’s men.
Bedford Town are back in action in just three days time, as they make the shorter trip to Peterborough Sports on Tuesday night (25 November); a team who escaped the relegation zone for the first time this season after defeating fourth-placed, Radcliffe 3-0 on Saturday.
The next game at The Eyrie is next Saturday (29 November) as Bedford Town host Darlington.
