Chris Slater celebrates his goal. Pic: Dave Birt
Chris Slater celebrates his goal. Pic: Dave Birt

Chasetown FC ended a run of three consecutive defeats with a well-deserved victory at The Scholars Ground.

The Scholars could not have wished for a better start. Ramone Stephens was pushed in the back by David Cyrus, following a cross from Mark Branch, and referee Mr Fox had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot, despite the protestations of the Frickley left-back. Dean Perrow edged a goal nearer to reaching his 100th Chasetown strike during this season by despatching the spot-kick powerfully to goalkeeper Adam Billard’s right.

In a first half devoid of clear cut chances, The Scholars closest effort came seven minutes before the interval. Winger Jordan Johnson, on loan from AFC Telford, forced Billard into a smart save just before the half-time interval after turning defender Danny Walsh on more than one occasion.

Frickley brought Ryan Price into action for the first time five minutes into the second half when James Ashmore tried his luck from long range but Price was straight behind the shot, looking to keep his first clean sheet of the season at the ninth attempt.

The Scholars passing was far more fluent than of late, and with Chris Slater pushed up into midfield and Ben Jevons into the forward line, Charlie Blakemore’s men were looking likely to increase their lead.

On 54 minutes, Billard kept out a Ben Jevons shot at the near post, following some neat build-up play.

However, against the run of play, the West Yorkshire side were level just after the hour mark. Leon Henry showed some pace down the Chasetown right flank and cut in before delivering an inch perfect cross to Ryan Mallon who beat Price with a composed finish from inside the penalty area.

The hosts were not going to let that setback prevent them from their first home win of the season and they regained their lead within seven minutes of conceding. As if to epitomise the improved team play, several players were involved in the build-up. Darren Stride and Ben Jevons got the move underway, setting up Dean Perrow on the edge of the box and he slipped a precise pass out to Stephens, who overlapped his defender and whipped in a first time cross to the far post where Chris Slaterarrived at the far post to volley the ball past Billard.

Frickley left themselves with a mountain to claim when substitute Jack Watts, who had only been on the field 17 minutes, was sent off for elbowing Matt Cohen.

Jordan Johnson strikes at goal. Pic: Dave Birt
Jordan Johnson strikes at goal. Pic: Dave Birt

After losing to ten men at Bradford Park Avenue, Chasetown went for the jugular this time, and how it remained 2-1 was anyone’s guess. Billard made an outstanding save to deny Johnson, and then a stretching Ben Jevons turned a Dean Perrow pass over the crossbar from less than six yards out.

Price held well a long range effort from Ashmore, after Henry was again the provider, but, it was The Scholars who looked more likely to add to their tally. Two minutes from time, Johnson crossed for Perrow, but he was unable to keep down a hooked effort as Billard could only watch on.

The Scholars will take this morale-boosting victory to Northwich Victoria tomorrow (September 13), kick off 7.45 pm, with the Cheshire side the only unbeaten team left in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier, before a home tie in The FA Cup with Budweiser on Saturday, with Alvechurch the visitors at 3pm.

Chasetown: Price, Turner, M Branch, Cohen, Stride (Sedgemore, 80), Teesdale, Stephens (Steadman, 87), Slater, Jevons, Perrow, Johnson (Hands, 90+2). Unused subs: Peel, Westwood.
Frickley Athletic: Billard, Bleau (Jones, 83), Cyrus, Walsh (Leonard, 88), Ludlam, Simpkins, Callery (Watts, 57), Ashmore, Knox, Mallon, Henry. Unused subs: Grayson, Darley.