FA CUP 2ND QUALIFYING ROUND REPLAY, CHORLEY 3-1 RUNCORN LINNETS, ATTENDANCE: 603
As it was nearly 18 years since my last visit to Victory Park (when I saw Chorley lose a Boxing Day derby 1-0 to Bamber Bridge) I decided tonight was the perfect opportunity for a revisit. I'm happy to report that in the days of Arena stands and 3G cages, Victory Park still remains a proper ground and full of character.
Chorley began life as a Rugby club in 1875 but switched to football in 1883. Victory Park has been home since 1920 and was named to commemorate the end of the First World War.
Chorley are mainstays of the National League North, the second tier of non-league football, and regularly make the end of season play-offs, though they have only won them once, back in 2019, to earn promotion to the National League. Of course, season 2019/20 then ended early due to the covid pandemic and Chorley were relegated back to the National North on a points-per-game average.
Tonight The Magpies were hosting Northern Premier League West Runcorn Linnets in an FA Cup replay, after Jack Hazelhurst scored a 72nd minute equaliser at the Millbank Stadium.
Tonight though Chorley eased into the next round with a routine win. All of their goals came in the first half courtesy of headed goals from David Moyo (24) and Harvey Smith (32) then a penalty kick converted by Carlton Ubaezuonu (39).
Like most of the crowd I was expecting a second half onslaught but it never materialised as Chorley settled for what they had and The Linnets upped their game. The final goal of the tie arrived in the 93rd minute and was the best of the bunch as Max Woodcock curled an absolute beauty into the top corner, this was not long after Runcorn's Lewis Doyle had recieved a second yellow card.
Chorley will now travel to Curzon Ashton in the next round on September 30th.
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