CHORLEY made it five wins from six, building on a fine win at Blyth with another Blyth success – this time in the shape of matchwinner Jacob, whose header nine minutes from time settled a tight contest.
Chorley made it 13 goals in two home games in this victory over a lightweight Blues side who barely struck a blow before they were three down and out of contention within 35 minutes.
A blistering display of attacking football put a youthful Tigers team to the sword, their cause not helped by a straight red card for Fabien Robert for a foul after 20 minutes.
The game was abandoned after just 12 minutes’ play after visiting midfielder Jake Hibbs suffered a serious leg injury following a strong challenge with visiting defender Harvey Smith.
“Growing up as a Liverpool fan, the main person I looked up to was Steven Gerrard,” said Lussey. “He played in the same position, and he did so much for the club. I modelled my playing style around him.
Some Step 2 members were unhappy about the events over the last year that culminated in a vote of no confidence motion in former chairman Brian Barwick and his board.
The National League South club – strong promotion favourites – made the long trip to play their North counterparts worthwhile with an impressive performance.
The 32-year-old joins the North West Counties Division One South outfit on a free from Curzon Ashton, with ex-Chorley boss Matt Jansen set to take charge for the new campaign.
Harry Scarborough, signed from the Magpies’ under-18s squad last month, produced the telling contribution with a penalty, just as it looked like the game was heading for a stalemate.
The 26-year-old has become the NPL Premier outfit’s first new signing of the summer and brings experience from the likes of Curzon Ashton and Altrincham.
What their form did, however, was earn Stockport a third-place finish and give Simon Rusk’s charges a valuable extra week’s break heading into the semi-final phase where they meet Dave Challinor’s Hartlepool United this afternoon at Edgeley Park.
Earlier this year, ‘Big G’, as he is affectionately known, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) at the age of 36, prompting the Non- League family to rally around in support with fundraising efforts.
The National League South club were unable to win their place back on the pitch this year after clubs voted to curtail the 2020-21 campaign at Step 2 in February.
Madden, making his fourth appearance for County since his move from Fleetwood, struck the Hatters’ equaliser 12 minutes from time after Gavan Holohan had given Hartlepool the lead at the start of the second half