Source: Lichfield Live
Chasetown FC completed a remarkable second half turnaround to take a 2-1 victory at highly-rated FC United of Manchester.
For the second time in four days Chasetown fell behind in the very first minute, Matt Wolfenden picking up a through ball before rounding John Branch and steering the ball under Ryan Price,s body to put FC United ahead after only 30 seconds.
Price saw plenty of action throughout the first half against a side touted among the favourites for the league title, catching a header from Wolfenden and coming off his line to stop a shot from Ben Deegan before denying the pair further chances later in the half.
Chasetown’s best chance came on 12 minutes when a free kick found Ben Jevons on the edge of the six-yard box and he stretched for the target but his effort went wide. Gary Birch fired the ball back in but the home defence were able to clear.
Wolfenden had the ball in the net on 18 minutes but the goal was ruled offside, while a Jevons shot was blocked by David Chadwick as Chasetown slowly obtained more possession but were not able to convert it into chances.
Jake Sedgemore did go close with a long drive but keeper James Spencer saved, while the Scholars survived a scare when Jake Cottrell lobbed the ball over Price after spotting the keeper off his line but the ball bounced wide of the target.
Chasetown had the better of the second half play and Jevons continued his good form, seeing a header collected at the far post by Spencer and blocking a shot from Cottrell.
The Scholars made their presence felt more and more strongly in front of goal with a Gary Birch cross headed over by Ian Neville while Alex Steadman dragged a shot wide following a Mark Branch cross.
Eventually the breakthrough came on 70 minutes when a free kick from Sedgemore on the edge of the area went through the middle of everyone and in at the far post with Stride and Jevons closing in, the latter getting the slightest touch to the ball but Sedgemore was credited with his maiden Scholars goal.
Six minutes later and the comeback was complete, Gary Hay heading a John Branch cross onto the bar but the ball bounced back and John Branch was in position for a left-footed shot which nestled in the corner of the net.
The Reds enjoyed a few late efforts including a shot from Wolfenden which beat the diving Price but went wide, and Chasetown’s resolution and hard work won out for their first league win of the season in dramatic fashion.
Next up for the Scholars is a home encounter with Nantwich Town tomorrow (August 23), kick-off 7.45pm, before taking on Chorley on Saturday (3pm).
FC United: Spencer, Battersby (c), Neville, Cottrell, Chadwick, Stott, Roca, Platt, Deegan, Wolfenden, Carr. Subs: Torpey (Roca 62), Edwards, Norton (Deegan 62), Armstrong, Holden.
Chasetown: Price, J Branch, M Branch, Slater, Stride, Teesdale (c), Stephens, Jevons, Birch, Sedgemore, Steadman. Subs: Perrow, Hay (Birch 65), Farquharson (Stephens 74), Parsons, Cohen.
Click to see more of Dave Birt’s pictures from the game.
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