The Scholars Ground, home of Chasetown FC based in Chasetown, Burntwood, Staffordshire and play their trade in Step 4 of the non league pyramid in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands. First FA Trophy game of the season for me and I will be joined there by none other than Match Days Joe! Chasetown of Step 4 will face Alvechurch of Step 3 at the Scholars Ground today! A second time seeing these teams for me, Alvechurch I visited back in late May this year seeing them lose 1-0 at home to Bromsgrove whereas Chasetown won their game 4-3 away at Ilkeston back in September not too long ago. What will today bring? Another 2-1 home win??
A tricky journey from Sheffield today it seems with Google Maps saying I won’t be there until 2 minutes before kick off, let’s make up some time… A near 20 minute delay for my first train to Derby… Good start! A short wait now for the train to Tamworth, that one is on time thankfully! Progress! Now for the one stop journey to Lichfield Trent Valley… Delayed… I can’t afford any delays at this point which means there is only one thing to do: Taxi! Lichfield City bus station now with 30 minutes to kick off, at least they are running smoothly! Not a good day for the train service sadly… Arrival at the ground just on kick off! £9 to watch this FA Trophy tie! Good stuff!
Kick Off! Match Days Joe has found me! Good start! Now let’s hope the game is the same! 11 minutes in and Alvechurch win a free kick on the edge of the box, it’s taken… Off the wall and Chasetown break, played to Aaron Ashford on the right flank, he cuts inside on the edge of the boa and he goes for the far corner… Wide!
16 minutes now and Chasetown come down that right flank again here, John Atherton with the ball now and he gets into the box, he puts it onto his left foot and goes for the curler… Brilliant save by the keeper! Corner, played short to Jack Langston, he flicks it up and goes for the volley about 30 yards out… OH! Just over! What a goal that would have been!
19 minutes on the clock, it’s a corner for Alvechurch, it’s played to Charlie Dowd on the edge of the box to deliver, in towards the far post for Zak Brown to stretch for it… He can’t get there in time and it’s wide. Great to meet YouTube groundhopper Will here today along with his Dad! Best part of the hobby again!!
A very physical game but also a game with a few chances so far. 29th minute and Chasetown go down the left wing, crossed in, it’s Jack Langston with the header… He’s headed it wide… He should have scored easy! 33rd minute and Chasetown come again, John Atherton with the ball in the box now… Down he goes… Waved away by the Referee! Chasetown not happy! Alvechurch break, they get to the edge of the box and play a great passing move to Tyrell Hamilton in the box on the left side to finish… And he does… But the flag is up and it won’t count. The game has calmed down an awful lot and the score at half time remains 0-0.
Second half, 47 minutes played and Alvechurch go down the left flank, in comes the cross, it comes for Charlie Dowd who brings it down and shoots… And he scores!!!! 0-1! 49 minutes now and Chasetown come down the left flank this time, crossed in, flicked on by an Alvechurch head with the keeper already committed… It comes for Jack Langston… He buries it!!!! 1-1!! What a start to this second half!!!
1 minute later and Chasetown are going for the throat here, a chipped ball into the box for Jack Langston again… What a save by the keeper!! He tips it over brilliantly for a corner, in comes the corner… Alvechurch clear. 53rd minute and Chasetown keep the pressure on, the ball is played to Jack Langston and he takes a touch onto his left foot and goes for goal at around 20 yards out… And he’s done it!!!! 2 for him! 2 for Chasetown! And they lead!! 2-1!!
63 minutes now and Alvechurch play down the right wing, crossed in, headed away by Chasetown but only to Tom Turton who strikes… Over! 75 minutes on the clock and Alvechurch have a free kick on the left of the edge of the box, played short to Sam McLintock, he takes a touch and shoots… Straight at the keeper! It was a venomous strike that swerved an awful lot though.
81st minute and Chasetown win the ball back in midfield, Aaron Ashford is played through and he wrestles off his man and gets into the box, he shoots… Keeper saves! Alvechurch clear the danger. 2 minutes later and Alvechurch play down the right again, played in low, it comes to Tyrell Hamilton who takes a touch and shoots on the turn… Blocked! It comes to Sam McLintock who takes a touch and shoots… OFF THE POST!! The flag is up on the far side for an offside in the build up and play is stopped. Chasetown survive another wave.
2 minutes later and Alvechurch are really pressing for the equaliser now! Will we see Penalties today? Alvechurch play down the left side, crossed in, Danny Waldron with the header… He’s hit the bar!!! Keeper collects. So close again from Alvechurch.
6 minutes of stoppage time added on… Not what Chasetown wanted to hear! 90+3 minutes now and Alvechurch have a free kick on halfway on the left, whipped into the box, Keeper comes for it… He gets a little bit on it and it’s loose… It comes for Ash Carter for Alvechurch and he goes for the lob… He’s missed! Over the bar!
Last minute of stoppage time and Alvechurch have a corner, they’re sending the keeper up for this one! Last chance perhaps for Alvechurch, will I see something I have never seen before at a game? In comes the corner… Over everyone… But Alvechurch retrieve it on the left, crossed back in… Straight out for a goal kick. Play continues… Referee blows for full time! And a big roar from the Chasetown fans! And another 2-1 win for the home side!! 4 in a row for me now!
FT: Chasetown 2-1 Alvechurch
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – A good sized crowd in today, Chasetown fans tried to get a few chants going but couldn’t but a lot of jeering for fouls and cheering for goals nonetheless.
- The Ground: 8/10 – It’s a nice ground! Especially for the level! Stands on 3 sides! Definitely fit for a higher level should they get there one day!
- Expense: 9/10 – A very good tense game I got to see today for £9! I’m delighted with that!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – Great to see Match Days Joe once again! And to meet Will and his dad who were fantastic! A great game to see and a lovely day out overall!
29/40