Chasetown FC secured a narrow 2-1 win over Rainworth Miners Welfare – but the scoreline flattered the hosts, who had goalkeeper Harry Andrews to thank for keeping the Scholars at bay for long periods of the game.
The visitors started well and after 12 minutes Nick Wellecomme struck the underside of the bar from inside the penalty area after a neat pass into his path from Lee Butler.
Three minutes later, Lee Parsons forced a full length save out of Notts County loanee Andrews with a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Despite the positive start and those two chances, it was the hosts who broke the deadlock against the run of play. The Scholars failed to clear the ball and former Chasetown striker Grant Ryan prodded home from close range through keeper John Bateman’s legs.
But the lead didn’t last and four minutes before the break the visitors deservedly levelled when a looping cross was headed back across goal by Wellecomme and Nathan Waite got up strongly to head home from three yards.
Chasetown felt hard done by that they were not going into the interval with a lead. Quick thinking from Wellecomme got the ball under control and he went beyond Andrews. It seemed as if the keeper had got a touch on the striker who was sent tumbling but the goal kick was awarded.
Craig Harris’ men started the second half where they left off though with Parsons seeing an effort bounce back off the upright. Defender Tommy Hannigan was quickest to the rebound to block Danny Edwards before he could follow up.
Parsons brought another fine save out of Andrews as Chasetown looked for the breakthrough goal.
It eventually came 19 minutes from time. Simon Brown got the assist with the ball into Wellecomme who kept the ball under control to battle strongly through two Rainworth defenders, holding off a third to fire his shot beyond Andrews.
Rainworth had their moments to force an equaliser, the best coming when Alex Ford drove goalwards and Parsons blocked the shot.
Wellecomme and substitute Jack Lees had chances to give the victory margin a further goal but Chasetown were worthy winners against a Miners side that had brought in six new players with a new manager in the week.
Rainworth Miners Welfare: Andrews, McGowan, Brown, Freeman, Hannigan, Mitchell, J Brown (Rennalls, 62 mins), Williams, Ford, Ryan, Whitman (Francis, 76 mins). Subs not used: Gill, Gregory, Coupe.
Chasetown: Bateman, Johnson, Ravenhill, Slater, Dallison, Downes, Butler (S Brown, 66 mins), Parsons, Wellecomme, Waite (Lees, 88 mins), Edwards (Davies, 76 mins). Subs not used: Evans, McDonald.
Click below to see more of Dave Birt’s pictures from the game: