Perfect start sends Scholars on their way

Oct 9 2008

SUTTON COLDFIELD TOWN 0 CHASETOWN 3

BGB SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION 1 MIDLANDS, TUESDAY OCTOBER 7

A FIRST minute strike from goal machine Dean Perrow set Chasetown on their way to a 3-0 Southern League Division 1 Midlands success at Sutton Coldfield town on Tuesday, writes Dave Goddard.

The number of kicks in the match was barely into double figures when a long clearance from the Scholars half was headed down by a Royals defender, and Perrow intercepted to place a right-footed shot into the corner of the net.

The visitors had by far the best of the first half action, and on six minutes a Mark Branch cross went across the face of the goal, with Craig Holland just failing to connect. A Harry Harris cross two minutes later saw John Daniels just beat John Branch to the header to clear, with Adie Smith’s free header from the resultant corner blocked at the far post.

The Royals began to argue amongst themselves as the half progressed, with the lively Gary Birch and Harris both sending shots over the bar, before a fight back from Sutton on 32 minutes saw Aaron Farrell’s shot narrowly clear the bar.

Four minutes later, Holland collected a blocked effort from Perrow after some fine midfield play by Lee Parsons and Birch, and he sent a screaming shot into the top corner of Darren Steadman’s net to double the Scholars’ lead.

Birch then set up Perrow for a long range right-footed shot which flew inches wide of the post, before a Sutton free kick saw skipper Phil Male’s shot do likewise.

Soon after the break Chasetown lost Parsons with what appeared to be the recurrence of a knee injury, although this later proved unfounded, while Perrow and Adie Smith both sent efforts wide.

On 68 minutes a superb cross from Harris went directly to Perrow, and the star striker fired the ball into the roof of the net for his second and Chasetown’s third.

An exchange of free kicks and long balls into the area followed, and the Scholars resisted late efforts from Craig Owen and substitute Neil Davis for a fine win.

Chasetown are back on the FA Cup trail this Saturday, as they travel to Evesham United in the third qualifying round (kick-off 3pm).

Sutton: Steadman, Quiggin, Daniels, Male (c), Booth, Moran, Owen, C Thomas, Mast, Farrell, Martin. Subs: Davis (Mast 75), Gemmell, Brown (Farrell 72), Palmer (Quiggin 75), Wolsey.

Chasetown: Price, J Branch, M Branch, A Smith (c), V Thomas, Teesdale, Holland, Parsons, Birch, Perrow, H Harris. Subs: Dyer (Parsons 56), D Smith (Perrow 81), Miller, Onokah, Williams (Teesdale 45).

Scorers: Perrow 1, 68, Holland.

Referee: Miss S L Massey.

Bookings: None.