Two early goals in an open and competitive game saw Chasetown FC secure a draw with Carlton Town FC.
Chasetown started well and had the ball in the net from close range as early as the third minute but the flag was up for offside, but after this Carlton put together some lively movements through the centre, and in the eighth minute Tristram Whitman found space on the left and unleashed a straightforward shot past Ryan Price to put the visitors ahead.
Carlton’s lead lasted just three minutes when Reece Styche was in the perfect position to receive a free kick and headed home the equaliser.
Chris Slater burst through from the back on 16 minutes and could have made it two for the Scholars but his shot went wide of the far post, and the lively first half continued with plenty of end-to-end action, Carlton still looking strong on the break.
Slater stopped a low cross from the left from Joe Irons on 36 minutes before Tom Marshall was close to heading Ben Steane’s corner home at the far post but his effort went wide, and Carlton keeper Alessandro Barcherini made a couple of good saves in the run-up to half time.
Chasetown started the second half well as Steane set up Gary Birch whose through ball to Styche was deflected off a defender, but Carlton’s blushes were spared as the ball trickled wide.
On the hour appeals for a penalty were turned down after Styche went down in the area, and the Scholars continued to enjoy the majority of the attacking play as they fought to seize the advantage.
The visitors fought back and Dean Gent’s low shot just went wide on 70 minutes, but two minutes later Duncan Horler was presented with the chance for his first goal since rejoining the Scholars but his shot clipped the crossbar and went over.
John Branch then shrugged off several challenges to set up his brother Mark whose high shot was wide of the target before Danny Smith burst down the right and crossed to Styche who found space but was ruled offside.
Barcherini then got behind another effort from Mark Branch before a goalmouth scramble in the closing minutes saw the impressive Styche go close once more but Chasetown could not force a late goal and had to settle for a draw, which was probably the fairest result given the nature of the action.
The Scholars hit the road once again this Saturday (November 14) as they make the trip up the M6 to face Kidsgrove Athletic, kicking off at 3pm.
Chasetown: R Price, J Branch, Milligan, Slater, Thomas, Marshall, Steane, Egan (c), Birch, Styche, Horler. Subs: M Branch (Milligan 71), Titchiner, Smith (Birch 71), Batchelor (Steane 56), Horton.
Carlton: Barcherini, J Price, Henshaw, Brindley, Martin, Ball (c), Whitman, Irons, Slack, Blair, Gent. Subs: Jenkins, Griffith (Whitman 71), Winfield (Brindley 46), Corrigan.
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