Dave Egan scores for Chasetown FC against Sheffield FC. Pic: Dave Birt
Dave Egan scores for Chasetown FC against Sheffield FC. Pic: Dave Birt

Chasetown FC came from behind in their friendly against Sheffield FC with super-subs Dave Egan and Grant Ryan on target in the second half.

The world’s first football club had the upper hand in the first half, but several changes saw the Scholars rally excellently and Ryan snatched the winner under pressure six minutes from time.

On a slippery pitch caused by intermittent rain, Greg Wright had Sheffield’s first chance in the third minute but his right-footed effort from a tight angle cleared Ryan Price’s crossbar, but one minute later the visitors were ahead when Brian Cusworth outpaced Chris Slater and side-footed a shot round Price into the corner of the net.

Gary Hay had Chasetown’s first chance as he found space on the right but keeper Leigh Walker was equal to him, and was also able to stop a Ramone Stephens effort following a Mark Branch cross.

Stephens was looking as lively as ever and Walker dived low to save his shot following some good work from Dean Perrow on 19 minutes, but Sheffield continued to burst through and Cusworth could have made it two following a Curtis Woodhouse free kick but his header bounced off the woodwork, and another header from the striker went over moments later.

Gavin Saunders then went close but his free kick was headed over by the Reds defence as the Scholars tried to fight back.  The signs were there but Sheffield kept the hosts in check with some physical play over the rest of the half, while Ashley Burbeary forced Price into a good save on 41 minutes.

As the rain returned with a vengeance in the second half, Perrow fired inches wide on 53 minutes after picking up a deflection off Scott Lowe, while Lee Smith also looked much improved in attack, later joined by Grant Ryan.

Chasetown introduced Dave Egan at the expense of Ben Jevons on 70 minutes, and within a minute he had equalised with his first touch, a powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Grant Ryan is congratulated by his Chasetown FC team-mates. Pic: Dave Birt
Grant Ryan is congratulated by his Chasetown FC team-mates. Pic: Dave Birt

This spurred the Scholars up a gear, Ryan hitting the post from close range on 77 minutes, before seven minutes later he was successful.  Some good work by Perrow on the left saw him find the former Mansfield man and he fired a low right-footed shot past Walker to put the hosts ahead.

Lee Cooksey had an immediate chance to equalise but sent his free kick wide, and the Scholars held on for a fine victory.

The Scholars will now warm up for their first ever Evo-Stik Northern Premier League match, which takes place at Bradford Park Avenue this Saturday (August 21), kick-off 3pm kick-off.

Chasetown: Price, Deakin, M Branch, Slater, Saunders, Teesdale (c), Stephens, L Smith, Hay, Perrow, Jevons.  Subs: Ryan (Stephens 65), Cohen (Deakin 45), Peel (M Branch 70), Horton (Teesdale 83), Faultless (GK), Egan (Jevons 70), J Branch (Saunders 70), Farmer (Slater 45).
Sheffield: Walker, Wright, Burley, Jones (c), Lowe, Woodhouse, Outram, Harrison, Cusworth, Burbeary, Roney.  Subs: Cooksey (Cusworth 78), Cronin (Outram 59), Dolby.

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mikeyboy
13 years ago

come on the scholars ! awsome result even if it is a friendly i hope they are all proud of themselves :)