Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s Senior Football Correspondent Elliot Steadman
Set pieces were the difference at Victory Park as Chorley came away 3-0 winners against Buxton.
The home side were forced into an early change when former Buck George Horbury replaced the injured Courtney Senior after just seven minutes.
Horbury was immediately involved, receiving the ball on the edge of the box from a well-worked corner routine, but his shot was blocked away.
Moments later, Johnny Johnston broke over the top and was quickly closed down by Matty Urwin, with the striker’s effort narrowly missing the post.
Johnston soon had another promising opportunity, exchanging passes with Connor Kirby on the left before firing a shot straight at Urwin, allowing Chorley to clear their lines.
Chorley’s first effort on target fell to Kole Hall, who struck from distance, but his shot was comfortably gathered by True Grant.
The Magpies continued to threaten, winning a corner after Dubem Eze’s cross was met by the head of Michael Calveley and deflected behind.
Just past the half-hour mark, Adam Blakeman’s delivery from the set piece was met powerfully by Mark Ellis at the far post, his header beating Grant to put Chorley 1-0 up.
Early in the second half, the ball was scrambled into the net, but the celebrations were cut short as Kieran Burton was adjudged to have handled in the build-up, and the goal was disallowed.
Tensions flared soon after when Chorley manager Andy Preece received a straight red card for dissent following an exchange with the linesman.
New signing Oliver Ewing nearly brought Buxton level after a well-worked passing move, finding space in the box and firing a shot towards the near post, but Urwin made the save before the ball was cleared behind for a corner.
Despite Buxton’s bright start to the second half, it was Chorley who extended their lead. Blakeman’s out-swinging corner was spilled by Grant and ended up in the net for 2-0 after 68 minutes.
With the game reaching its ending Chorley added a third after a throw in eventually found its way to the far post where Calveley was there to fire in for 3-0 and seal the three points.
