With two sides who have both suffered defensive struggles in recent weeks, it was perhaps inevitable that Chasetown and Brigg Town would play out a goal-less draw.
The hosts – under a new management regime after shipping 10 goals to Gresley a month ago and seven to Kidsgrove last Saturday – seemed the happier side with the result after the visitors had the majority of the better chances.
Early on, Chasetown dominated the possession and it seemed likely that they would find the breakthrough. The best chance fell to Nick Wellecomme who drove goalwards and a defender’s arm, close to his body, took the sting out of his shot and keeper Jody Barford was able to keep out the rebounded strike.
Against the run of play, in a first half of few chances, Daniel Kingsley Jr forced a save from John Bateman with a well struck right foot shot from wide of the penalty area after a burst of pace got him clear down the inside-left channel.
The best opportunity in the first half for Craig Harris’ men came when Wellecomme broke clear and was one on one with keeper Barford, but elected to go for the low shot and the keeper got down early to save.
At the start of the second period, Wellecomme was in a similar position and this time elected to try and dink the ball over Barford, but the keeper was able to keep out the effort once more.
On the hour, Simon Brown and Nathan Waite were introduced to the action and the Scholars’ leading goalscorer was unfortunate not to net the winning goal. With 20 minutes left, Waite finally beat Barford with a shot, but Matthew Kingston sprinted back to clear the off the line.
Brigg continued to create chances on the break but, in truth, there was only likely to be one winner in the game, but Chasetown just could not make the vital breakthrough.
Click below to see more of Dave Birt’s pictures from the game:
