OUT of sorts Chorley were beaten again on Sunday by a Chester side who fought hard to win the three points. The game got off to a scrappy start with both teams trying to win possession, closing down players quickly and stopping the flow of the game.

Chester settled better and could have gone ahead on 23 minutes when a glancing header bounced back off the post and was hacked clear by the Chorley defence.

However, 10 minutes later, Chester took the lead with a fine dipping shot from 25 yards which looped over keeper Karen Browne and into the net.

Having started with three defenders at the back, Chorley reverted to their familiar 4-4-2 and looked more confident with their shape and play. Chester, meanwhile, continued to tackle hard in midfield and remained in control of the game, but both teams' efforts cancelled each other out and there was no further score before half time.

During the interval, the team talk by manager Karl Rigby seemed to work at first, and Chorley stepped up a gear. In particular, Debbie Sharrock and Sharon Schofield started to influence the game and it was Schofield who scored from 30 yards with the type of goal which is fast becoming her trademark.

Looking up, she spotted the keeper off her line and lobbed a perfect shot into the top of the net. The home team deserved to be level at this stage and looked to be comfortable in defence, even though there was a series of changes forced by injuries and substitutions.

Then, 25 minutes from time, Chorley conceded a direct free kick on the edge of the box and Chester took the lead when the resulting shot was initially saved by keeper Browne but bounced off her shoulder and ended up in the back of the net.

Chorley again lifted their work rate to get back into the game, but Chester defended well to hold onto the points. Once again, the home team will be disappointed that their efforts were not better rewarded. However, when they look back at the game they will find much of their hard work was wasted by hurried passes and losing possession in vital areas to determined opposition.

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