Richard Davies scores for Telford against Chasetown. Pic: Dave Birt
Richard Davies scores for Telford against Chasetown. Pic: Dave Birt

Chasetown FC’s penultimate friendly of the 2011-12 pre-season ended in defeat with former loanee Richard Davies one of the scorers against his former club.

Another former Scholar, Lee Evans, lined up in goal for The Bucks and was relatively untroubled in the 90 minutes, forced into a save early on from Dean Perrow and late on from substitute Karl Edwards.

At times AFC Telford showed why they got promoted last season – forcing Chasetown onto the back foot with some neat passing, up to and around the penalty area. It was just the final ball into the box which twice eluded any striker, and the final shot which let the visitors down at times.

Courtney Pitt fired a shot straight at Ryan Price, Craig Farrell blazed the ball over the bar when he really should’ve scored and then former Wolves man Adam Proudlock fired wide when he should have hit the target, following a low cross from Dwayn Samuals.

Despite the chances for AFC Telford, a strong starting XI for the Scholars held firm, and it was only after the customary pre-season flurry of substitutions that Telford edged in front.

With five half-time changes, Chasetown were caught cold at the start of the second period and Richard Davies netted within five minutes of the restart.

Eight minutes later, Ramone Stephens went on a powerful run forward but dragged his shot well wide of the target.

Price was the busier keeper and saved a low shot from Samuals, before Jon Adams had a shot blocked at the near post as the Shropshire side looked to increase their advantage.

Ten minutes from the end though, Chasetown did almost create an equaliser when Karl Edwards, scorer of 105 goals in his Scholars career, looked to have beaten Evans with a fierce effort, only for the Telford custodian to tip the ball over the bar at full stretch.

The game was petering out into a 1-0 away win, and it seemed it would end that way, particularly when Jack Farmer received some lengthy treatment for an injury. When play resumed however, Telford added a second when Nathan Rooney netted from close range after good work from one of the several Telford substitutes who had no number!

Chasetown: Price (Wiggins, 83), Turner (Farmer, HT), M Branch (Heward, HT), Slater, Stride (Ajidahun, 77), Teesdale (Parsons, HT), Stephens (T Robinson, 63), Sedgemore (Farquharson, HT (Westwood, 83), Birch (Edwards, 70), Perrow (Hay, HT), Steadman (Jevons, 63).
AFC Telford: Evans, Salmon, Samuals, Davies, Caines, Williams, Mills, Pitt, Farrell, Proudlock (John, 40), Adams. Subs: Valentine, Preston, Rooney, Lawne, King, Trainer, J Reid, L Reid, Brown.

Click to see more of Dave Birt’s pictures from this match.