Victory Park Saturday, October 21st, 2017 k/o 15:00   National League North Attendance: 1,440         Chorley 1-0 FC United of Manchester
2017 /18

Comments :

Having decided not to go to aldershot when the fixtures came out, initial plans were to go to Belfast to watch linfied however on the eve of booking my flight the fixture was switched to the Monday. Plan b was Chorley although I could have done a double header in the Welsh league with cefn Druids kicking off at 14.30 and connahs quay 17.30ish. Picked my mate up from Wales and arrived at the ground around 12.30. Had a chat with some friendly staff at the ground before exploring the town. As kick off loomed so did storm Brian and the heavens opened. No segregation but the fcum fans largely huddled under the far stand with just about everyone else sheltered either in the main stand or behind the opposite goal, that is apart from half a dozen daft uns on the open side including me as this was my best vantage point but did mean I was soaked through and battered in the blustery Gail''s. Took shelter at half time but returned for more second half which resulted in having to buy a second programme after the game as the original turned to mulch. The game was entertaining despite the conditions, first half Chorley just shaded it although fcum came closest to scoring hitting the bar. Second half Chorley know had the wind behind them and dominated although the goal was a long time coming. I got to throw the match ball back to the fcum United no12, and should have done the same to return it to their no6 however I wanted to kick it back which being soaked through didn''t work out too well. The ball also brushed my fingers in the incident in which he (6) was booked for kicking the ball out before a Melee lead to his red card in the last minute. The fcum keeper was their motm saving several times including one heading for the top corner near the end. The goal came after a goalmouth scramble was eventually drilled home by Chorleys no7. They also had one ruled out for offside but think they new the decision long before the ball found the net. The pitch stood up to the weather well only succumbing to the puddles in the last 10-15 mins which so nearly gifted Chorley a second. Can''t remember the Chorley keeper having a save to make second half but in truth it should have been more than one.