Luke Evans made three changes from the team that lost to AFC Liverpool on Saturday, with Ryan Hogarth, Gary Pett and James Hughes replacing Nathan Pennington, Theo Ball and Prince Yelegon in the starting lineup.

Gate had the first effort of the game inside two minutes, with Pett winning a free kick just outside the box. The striker took the kick and fired low into the arms of the Charnock goalkeeper.

Pett had another effort just three minutes later, when a good interception from Dan Gray gave Pett the chance to shoot from distance but he chipped well off target.

Charnock had three sights of goal within the next five minutes, the first an effort deflecting off Nathan Bartram into the arms of Hogarth. A dangerous cross was then cleared away from the goal line by Josh Westwood, before a golden chance from close range after a cross from the left was stabbed wide.

It was Squires Gate who broke the deadlock though on 19 minutes. Right-back Isaac Abankwah broke away down the wing, finding Rowan Chambers in the box who finished clinically for his first Gate goal. Gate were looking good, until an injury to the referee saw play halted for over 10 minutes as a replacement assistant referee was found in the crowd.

This killed off Gate’s momentum, and two minutes into stoppage time of the first half the hosts were level. A corner was flicked to the back post, where a cross-shot deflected off Haydock and into the top corner.

Just five minutes later, Charnock turned the game on its head to take the lead. A ball in the box was headed back across goal to Brad Carsley, with the clinical striker making no mistake from close range.

Half Time: Charnock Richard 2-1 Squires Gate

The hosts started the second half on top, with an effort inside the first two minutes deflecting into the arms of Hogarth, before the goalkeeper was on hand to deny Carsley a second after he broke in behind the Gate defence.

Gary Pett went close to an equaliser for Gate just before the hour mark, heading narrowly off target after a corner delivery from Ryan Riley.

It was Charnock though who got the all important next goal on 64 minutes, with a pinpoint cross from the right headed into the top corner by Luke Power. Charnock’s third goal killed the game off, with the hosts controlling the game and Gate unable to keep any consistent possession of the ball.

A serious head injury to Gate defender Bartram on 80 minutes saw the game come to another halt for around 15 minutes. A stretcher was brought into the field by Bartram was able to walk off, and was taken to hospital shortly after. We will provide any updates on Nathan as soon as we get them.

Ollie Burgess came on to replace him, but with Charnock still in full control the hosts held out for the three points on a disappointing night for Evans’ men.

Full Time: Charnock Richard 3-1 Squires Gate

Gate are back in action on Saturday, as they host Northwich Victoria in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round at The Brian Addison Stadium.

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