Chorley Women’s season starts with victory

Barnsley were the visitors to Chorley’s new home ground at Blainscough Park – home of Coppull United – where Kerry Nickson scored the game’s only goal.

Both teams had half-chances mostly as a result of free-kicks but the first half ended in a stalemate.

The deadlock was broken when Barnsley conceded a free-kick in a dangerous area. Leanne Prescott swung the ball over, which was initially cleared, but the tenacious Betti Worth won the ball back, beat the defender with a clever step-over and put in a perfect cross.

Nickson met it with a bullet header that flew into the net.  

Chorley continued to threaten after the goal before Barnsley had a period of sustained pressure themselves looking for the equaliser. But Megan Searson, Worth, Issy Catlow and Jade Foster were a match for anything Barnsley could throw at them.