Keeper reveals Chasetown FC’s FA Trophy hero saved himself from an ear-bashing

Goalkeeper Ryan Price has revealed Chasetown FC’s dramatic late equaliser saved one of his team-mates from an ear-bashing!

The Scholars secured a replay in the dying moments of the game when a Richard Davies corner somehow got the better of home keeper David Grof.

But while Davies took the plaudits of his team-mates and more than 1,000 home fans, his goalkeeper admits the hero of the hour was going to be on the receiving end of a rollicking from Price until the Stags keeper’s blunder.

The Chasetown stopper explained:

“If the keeper had caught the second goal I would have absolutely slaughtered Digger [Davies] as I was running up for the corner and he decided to take it early.

“I’d only just got past the halfway line!”

Although goal heroes Davies and Jimmy Turner stole many of the headlines, Price continued to play his part in keeping the Scholars in the tie during a tough first half that saw their professional opponents dictating the play.

As string of saves before and after the interval meant Charlie Blakemore’s men were always able to hang onto Mansfield’s goalscoring coat tails.

But a humble Price believes it was just another day at the office – and admitted he felt some sympathy for his opposite number.

“I was happy with my performance, but it’s not something you really think of. I just go out and play the game and as I get paid to stop them, I’m expected to do just that as I did against Workington, Kettering, Grimsby and Eastleigh.

“Yes, the first half was hard but I knew if we could hang in there we would get chances so I kept telling the lads to hang in there. At half time I guess we knew we hadn’t imposed ourselves on the game. We let them dictate which, fair play to them, they did and penned us in a little. Their goals were wonder strikes but that’s why they are full-time professionals because they can do that to you.

“I did feel a little sorry for their keeper because mistakes happen, but he’s lucky enough to be a pro and he can work on things more in training than we can so it’ll be quickly out his mind.”

Chasetown’s replay at Mansfield will take place on March 8, but before then they have to travel to Ossett Town for a league clash on Saturday (March 5).