Chasetown FC returned from Carlton Town empty-handed after a tough encounter.
A blustery afternoon at Stoke Lane saw the home side take the lead in the 16th minute. Martin Ball played a long pass to Paolo Piliero who delivered a cross to the centre which Alex Troke headed home unmarked.
Chasetown had good chances to level. Lee Downes fired over the bar from around the penalty spot, Richard Davies was a whisker wide with a right foot shot before Martin Kearney acrobatically finger tipped over an effort from Nathan Waite.
The wind dominated proceedings and the game was understandably littered with overhit passes and wayward crosses from both sides.
Waite forced Kearney to save at the start of the second period but it was not to be Chasetown’s day in front of goal as the hosts mopped up the loose ball to clear.
Aaron Hooton forced Chase keeper John Bateman into a save midway through the second half while Troke headed wide from just three yards out by the far post.
Scholars substitute Mark Danks almost made an instant impact twisting and turning inside the penalty area before chipping up a cross which just eluded Danny Edwards at the far post.
Debutant Josh Smith impressed at right back though, while there was also a late debut for Nicky Turton, on as an 84th minute substitute.
Chasetown: Bateman, Smith, Beckett, Slater, Miles, Downes (Danks, 76 mins), Brown (Butler, 84 mins), Johnson, Waite (Turton , 84 mins), Davies, Edwards. Subs not used: Parsons, Pond.
Click below to see more of Dave Birt’s pictures from the game:
