Several new faces made their first appearances in Chasetown blue as the Scholars took a fine 2-0 win in their friendly at Walsall Wood.
With a number of first team players in action at AFC Wulfrunians the same evening, this fixture gave a few reserve players the chance to step into the limelight, while Karl Edwards made a surprise and welcome return to Chasetown, and the side displayed tight and controlled football throughout against their West Midland League opponents.
The Scholars dominated the opening minutes with Jack Farmer taking advantage of an error by the home keeper only to fire his shot over the bar, while newcomer Adebayo Ajihadun set up Lee Parsons on 12 minutes but the keeper dived low to his right to save.
Walsall Wood’s defence worked well to counter several Chasetown chances, but on 34 minutes the visitors took the lead when a move by Farmer and Tom Horton down the right allowed the former to cross to Mark Branch whose looping right-footed shot found a gap at the near post and the Scholars were ahead.
The rest of the half saw the pace slow a little, save for a free kick for the hosts being sent into the Chasetown wall and the rebound over the bar.
Manager Andy Cox made several changes throughout the second half as the pre-season experimentation continued, the main chance coming following a period of pinball in the box but the Wood defence was able to clear.
Lewis Taylor-Boyce replaced Edwards on 68 minutes and four minutes later doubled Chasetown’s lead when he rounded the keeper following a move down the left and calmly fired the ball into the empty net.
A number of younger Scholars showed good form throughout the half including Jonathan Gould, Chad Degville and Joe Corbett, with encouraging play shown across the side.
The next action for the Scholars is tomorrow (July 21) as they visit Heath Hayes, kick-off 7.45pm.
Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Hulin, Stone, Bridgewater, Horton, Parsons, Taylor-Boyce, Edwards, Ajihadun. Subs: Gould (Parsons 60), Deakin (Farmer 51), Degville (M Branch 60), Aiton (Ajihadun 60), Corbett (Hulin 45), Scragg (Taylor-Boyce 45), Black (Bridgewater 60), Wiggins (Price 45). Hulin returned in place of Stone (60), Taylor-Boyce returned in place of Edwards (68).
