Sportspy Reports – Sunday October 11th 2009.

Westway, Chorley was this morning's venue.  Home side Chillis FC are the top team in the Chorley Nissan Sunday Football league and after starting the season with eight straight wins BFSFA side Northern Care FC faced a real test this morning.  Last season they finished runners up and won the two domestic Cup competitions.  This years Cup is sponsored by the Oystons with the final being played at Bloomfield Road (Fact of the day).  Northern Care FC were also full of condidence at start of play.  Four straight league wins including victories against last seasons top two had put them top of the league.  Wins against the Squirrel and the Stable Bar had propelled them into the fourth round of the Gledhill Cup and they've already had a good run in the Lancashire Sunday trophy.

Overcast, damp and breezy over in Chorley this morning.  Northern Care were wearing their orange and black kit and at 11am today's referee got proceedings underway.  No team pictures today as I got lost arriving two minutes into the game.  Thanks to the locals for the directions!

Chillis FC keeper

Paul Carroll

James Burgess in the background

The two veterans running the show in the middle of the park

Thomas Baldwin with the flag

Manager Gary Collings in the background

Body art

Getting an assist

There's something of a slope on this pitch

Chillis' keeper Bobby

Clean through but all three of them were offside

Rain never too far away

'I'm sure this shirt is shrinking'

Handbags

All friends again

Northern Care FC keeper Jamie Cook

After an even start the visitors from Blackpool started to get on top and as the half progressed they took a greater share of the possession.  All that possession counted for nothing as they failed to create any clear cut opportunities in the first half. 

Half time score :  Chillis FC 0 – 0 Northern Care FC

Half time in the rain

Livingstone and Willy discussing where it's not going right.

Ernie Dyson watches on as Northern start the second half

Chillis with their backs against the wall.

'I'm getting far too old for this'

Lewis Cook

Two fingers up at the referee

Terry Green

The second half followed much the same pattern as the first.  The visitors again enjoying lots of possession but failing to penetrate.  Chillis were restricted to only a couple of corners.  It's extra time and a long day for Fyldesport.com – don't put the chicken in just yet.

Score after 90 minutes : Chillis FC 0 – 0 Northern  Care FC

I just love the football in the English autumn.

Chillis' best chance of the match

Late into the first period of extra time Chillis almost snatched it.  Danger man Elmsie burst clear on the break, his pace troubling the defenders as it had done all through the game.  He got his shot away but Cook spread himself away and made the vital save.

Jake

Into the second half of extra time

A fantastic save from the Chillis' keeper

Toward the end of the second half of additional time it was the turn of Northern Care to almost score the decisive winner.  A great cross from the left was met by Gareth Moore whos well timed bullet header was pawed away at point blank range by Bobby.  Time for penalties.

Score after exta time: Chillis FC 0 – 0 Northern Care FC

It looks easy doesn't it?

Sending the keeper the wrong way

..and again

This time the keeper was unlucky

Now Cook is sent the wrong way.

So close to saving it again – in off the post

After five penalties each it was 3-3.  Two great saves from Cook gave Terry Green the opportunity of sending his side through but he missed it (Video available on request for the Christmas party).  Each side converted kick six and then watch the video below to see how it all ended up.

Gary Collings and Terry Green celebrate a hard earned victory

Final score :  Northern Care FC won 5-4 on penalties

In summary Northern Care FC made hard work of this and if they hadn't gone through it would have been down to their own inadequacies rather than being beaten by the better team on the day.  Don't get me wrong, Chillis FC are testing opposition and it's clear why they have so much success in their own league.  However, they didn't do enough to win today and can have no arguments about the end result.  However, it's all about putting the ball in the net and despite all of that possession Northern failed to do so and Chillis almost snatched a victory in extra time.  Good performances from 16 (Ex Charnock player), 12 and the keeper who did deserve more for his efforts. 

Not the best of performances from Northern.  They build up momentum well moving up the field at pace but they all too often fizzled out around the box due to greed, choosing the wrong pass but most of all bringing that momentum to a halt by slowing it down.  The best chance late on was due to getting the ball into the box early.  Good performances from Carroll, N Corless and Moore.  They also have some good talented youngsters who will only come up with more end product with experience.  Good luck to Northern Care FC in the next round where it will get really tough.  A top refereeing performance by the official.