Taking the short trip to Garstang for the last midweek fixture of the season, saw us play a late kick off under the lights at the Riverside Ground. A very well prepared surface and the opportunity to play some good flowing football provided a great spectacle for the hundred or so fans in the ground on a cold early autumn night.

After a long and arduous August, coupled with the last Bank Holiday of the year, Chippings very jaded squad took on Garstang's Reserve team. A mixed start with neither team getting on top was brightened up when the ball fell to Jack Fletcher who took a neat first touch pushing the ball into a wide area before delivering a cross that looked impossible given his body position facing away from the goal.

Returning Captain Matt Shorrock was waiting on the penalty spot and dropped back to head across the Garstang keeper and into the top corner - 1-0 Chipping.

Garstang pushed hard after going a goal down and when Chipping overplayed at the back and an ever pressing Garstang offense stole the ball and played in their busy centre forward it was all level. A very neat finish into the bottom corner and a goal to savour for the hosts who were guilty of poor finishing up to the half time whistle and would have been upset to go in just level at the break.

Chipping made the most of the break and came out with much more positivity and took the game to Garstang in the second half. Our pressing was excellent and the vast majority of the half was played largely in Garstang's half of the pitch. Working the ball into the wide areas and getting in behind the Garstang full backs time and again, Chipping were perhaps guilty of missing a few chances of their own, the normally cool head of Rick Coar deserting him on occasion and the post and bar helping the hosts remain in the game.

When Garstang lost a key midfielder to injury the writing was on the wall for them and they began to sit deeper and deeper. Harris Bailey continued his excellent start to the season with some fine footwork and outstanding forward play and after working space on his left foot and cutting into the left hand side of the Garstang penalty area he unleashed a curling rocket of a shot that flew past the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.

Opening up the space through the non stop running of the Chipping midfield the chances came thick and fast for the last 25 minutes with a number of chances saved or just put wide of the Garstang goal. A late surge from the hosts saw an overhead kick flicked over the bar from the returning Sam Potter in the Chipping goal who continues his recovery from injury showing some great form.

Back to back wins on the road and a good end to August.

Manager Andy Barr was philosophical after the game saying " We overplayed in the first half and this was our downfall. Thankfully the lads responded to the half time team talk very well and executed the game plan very well. Slightly disappointed we didn't wrap it up sooner with the clear chances we created in the 2nd half. We need to be more clinical in front of goal and value those goal scoring opportunities going forward".

Chipping FC

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