FARSLEY CELTIC FC 0 CHORLEY FC 1

CHORLEY gained sweet revenge for their 4-1 defeat at Victory Park by Farsley a few weeks ago.

On that day the Magpies had two players sent off but Farsley found it much more difficult against a full complement.

There was a pre-match boost for Chorley fans with the news of the return of crowd-favourite Keith Evans.

The game was played on an awful surface, making it appear at times as though the players were trying to control a rugby ball.

There really is no excuse for pitches being as poor as this at this level and you wonder what the pampered prima donnas of the Premiership would make of it. Indeed they would probably refuse to play!

Given the state of the pitch it was not too surprising that the game was hardly a classic.

Chorley scored what proved to be the only goal around the 20 minute mark, significantly, Evans was the provider, flicking on a long ball to release Swailes who kept his cool to shoot under Sutcliffe.

Mitchell wasted a chance to put the Magpies two up although he was hindered by the unpredictable bounce of the ball.

Chorley could have found themselves down to 10 men when Leather clattered into Whellans, but referee Lomas contented himself with a yellow card.

The Magpies' defence looked extremely solid with Hook and Leather keeping Farsley's dangerous strike force of Whellans and Blackstone well under control and Marsh, on his 300th appearance, was rarely troubled. Playing down the slope and with the wind behind them, Farsley came more into the picture in the second half, but Chorley stood firm. Indeed they created the half's best chance when Evans superbly tricked two bemused defenders ensuing cross.

A nasty clash of heads saw Magpie's skipper Paul Fleming carried off, but Chorley held on for a very welcome three points.

This Saturday, Chorley entertain North Ferriby Utd.