[themaclad]

A record crowd for a competitive game at Bamber Bridge's Sir Tom Finney Stadium of 2300 had hope to see a competitive local derby, they didn't get it. Two seasons ago Bamber Bridge and Chorley were in the same division, today the difference between the sides was considerable. Chorley are in the top position of the Conference North and that quality showed through today as they strolled to a 4-1 victory over the home side
A dull first half saw Chorley lead 1-0 through a goal by Dean after home keeper Dovey had collided with a Chorley forward going for the ball, Bridge claimed a foul, none was given and Dean scored. Before they scored Chorley had missed three very decent chances. Got the feeling that once the first had gone in it would be hard work for the home side and it was.
A very scrappy start to the second half little fluent football and just as dull as what that had gone before. Chorley added a second with Smith heading home form a corner. Within five minutes Bridge had somehow conjured a goal, Chorley keeper Ashton's fumble hit Waddecar and the ball dribbled into the Chorley net.
Amazingly Bell was a whisker away of levelling the score but just failed to get his head to the ball, but it was soon back to normal as Hine made it 3-1 with a back post tap and then Stephenson found himself with the freedom of Lancashire to amble past substitute keeper Barnes to make it 4-1.
Chorley stroll onto the fourth qualifing round only one round away from a possible draw against a league club.

Bamber Bridge 1 Chorley 4 Att 2368