Gresley Rovers 2 Chasetown 4

Sep 22 2008

A cup tie that had everything, including bookings, penalties, a sending off and plenty of goals, saw Chasetown progress to the next round of the FA Cup 4-2 at Gresley Rovers on Saturday, with Dean Perrow the hero with all four of the side’s goals.

After an early exchange of free kicks Gresley had the first chance, with a long range shot from Jamie Barrett rebounding off the crossbar.

The home side played brighter football in the opening minutes, and on 10 minutes Ross Miller conceded a handball for Chasetown, with referee Lovegrove showing no hesitation in awarding a penalty. Scholars keeper Ryan Price dived to his left, but David Blenkinsopp sent the ball straight down the middle to put Gresley ahead.

The visitors soon fought back, with a couple of chances going wide before Perrow was fouled from behind in the area for a penalty. The Scholars striker fired the ball down the middle to equalise.

Home forward Jamie Hood was sent off for a two-footed tackle on Perrow just past the half-hour, before a Gary Birch effort hit the post and went out for a corner.

The resultant kick was cleared but only as far as Perrow on the edge of the area, who fired home leftfooted to put the Scholars ahead.

Half time: Gresley Rovers 1 Chasetown 2.

The Rovers levelled just two minutes after the break, when Chasetown were caught out waiting for the offside flag after a clearance. The flag never appeared, however, and Blenkinsopp sent his shot just wide of Price to equalise.

On 64 minutes the Scholars retook the lead, with Perrow beating the offside trap and a defender before sliding the ball under keeper Nicky Staife’s body for his hat-trick.

The striker made it four a short while later, when a cross from Danny Smith went over the hapless Staife and Perrow was just behind to nod home his and the Scholars’ fourth.

Chasetown continued to turn the screw as the Rovers tired, and a late Gresley corner fell to Barrett, but his shot went directly to Price.

Attendance: 438