Recap: Chorley 1-1 Harriers

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HARRIERS grabbed a point with ten men after a real second half tussle at Chorley ended 1-1.

A night that promised so little with a first half utterly devoid of real goal-mouth action but packed with defensive solidity from both teams, really delivered with a second half full of talking points.

The first of them, less than ten into the second period, was the dismissal of Geraldo Bajrami for two bookable offences – the defender made to walk for virtually his only two fouls of the evening.

While Chorley immediately went close through an Utsabasi effort that Simpson saved, but Harriers arguably went closer when Sam Austin rifled a rising effort off the bar via the goalkeeper’s fingertips.

A minute later, Harriers were ahead when Hemmings turned and struck a half-volley that proved far too much for Urwin between the sticks as it found his top corner.

From there, Chorley did have a spell of chances and pressure, but without seriously testing Simpson regularly. Their clearest chances – a Henley header, one from Cardwell – went off target, while Whitehouse fired an effort into the stopper’s midriff.

As the hosts began to get frustrated, Connor Hall was thrust into the action and proved to be the difference – diverting the ball past Simpson after taking a neat touch in the area, virtually with his first kick of the night.

Just when you thought Harriers had looked a safe bet for their point and happy enough with it in the circumstances, there was the latest of late chances for them to win it. A super ball from sub Bonds found Austin, who managed to get a firm shot away despite the attentions of two players. Urwin got down well to make the save, turning in inch around the post.

Get full team line-ups and key match facts at The Match Centre.

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