HT: Chorley 0 Kendal Town 1
A MARC Joseph goal just two minutes before the break has given Kendal Town a 1-0 half time lead in the Lancashire FA Trophy Final against Chorley.

Joseph reacted quickest to Kevin Leadbetter’s corner which was won by Rory Winters after a burst down the right wing.

An action packed first 45 has seen plenty of chances for both sides.

Chorley flew out of the traps and won a corner after just 40 seconds when Chris Denham’s cross was deflected behind by Rory Winters.

Adam Roscoe got his head to Tom Ince’s corner but it was deflected behind and the follow up corner was headed wide by Andy Russell.

Chorley settled better and forged their second opening with just six minutes on the clock when Matt Walwyn danced through the centre but his half volley was wide of the mark.

Town’s first meaningful attack came on 16 minutes when Leadbetter stole the ball and played in Gary McEvatt.

McEvatt rounded Chorley stopper Russ Saunders but pushed out wide the Town striker could only hit the side netting.

Chorley continued to dominate though and should have broken the deadlock through Walwyn on 20 minutes when Tom Williams squared to him eight yards out, but he shot straight at Craig Dootson.

Dootson was to come to Town’s rescue minutes later when Walwyn’s deflected effort from 20 yards had to be pushed away from the top corner and behind.

Leading scorer Steve Foster headed straight at Dootson before Andy Teague shot wide from five yards.

But Town settled and carved their way into the game on 29 minutes when McEvatt latched on to a Mark Jackson cross but his second touch could only be poked at keeper Saunders and Carl Osman’s rebound fell wide of the mark.

Leadbetter had a free kick from 30 yards easily saved before Osman broke into the box on the left on 36 minutes but his shot was weak and Saunders collected.

The breakthrough came though on 43 minutes for Town and the travelling faithful will be hoping for a similar outcome at the end of the game.