Chorley lose feisty Shrimpers derby

Chorley started positively creating plenty of chances, without working the Morecambe goalkeeper. Janet Mitchell was able to push forward, working with Kerry Wareing to place precise throughballs.

It was Morecambe who were to take the lead in a heated fixture.

Slack passing and poor positional play for Chorley saw a ball fall at the Shrimp striker’s feet, and she didn’t pass up a glorious rare opportunity.

The lead was not held for long, and Vicky Coope scored her 24th goal of the season, lobbing the encroaching keeper.

Chorley restarted but were unable to convert before the half-time interval.

In the second half, the tempo of the game increased, and both teams put in a few fierce challenges.

The referee awarded Charlotte Higginson a yellow after a collision on the sideline.

Midway through the half, Morecambe regained the lead after slack passing, for the second time, allowed the striker to top poke past a helpless Phillips.

Morecambe added a third in the final quarter of the game. As Chorley pushed for the equaliser, a counte r attack allowed Morecambe to punish Chorley and take a 3-1 lead.

Chorley became frustrated and challenges flew in. A free kick to Chorley was hit long for Sam Cadwallader to cross, finding Sarah Berry, who hit a stinging left-foot shot towards the keeper, who flapped it into the net.

Towards the end of the game, Chorley continued to press. Higginson was in the heat of the action, and a late tackle saw her given her second yellow and an early shower. Chorley continued to fight, but Morecambe remained resilient.