Scholars come from behind to seal win

Apr 2 2009 by Dave Goddard

Chasetown 2, Aylesbury United 1
BGB Southern League division one Midlands

It all changed for the better in the second half for Chasetown on Saturday as they came from behind to defeat Aylesbury United 2-1, writes Dave Goddard.

In damp conditions the visitors had the first attack courtesy of a Danny Mead free kick which was headed away by Chris Slater.

The Ducks made an early change due to an injury to James Saulsbury on 18 minutes, and one minute later were awarded a penalty after Phil Harris was adjudged to have handled in the area. Mead stepped up and sent Ryan Price the wrong way to put Aylesbury ahead.

Ducks keeper Tom Vincent was forced into a save by Danny Smith from close range on 31 minutes, and Slater then cancelled out a couple of attacks down the right but these soon disappeared and the dearth of chances continued until the break with a Mark Branch corner coming to nought at the conclusion of the half.

Half time: Chasetown 0 Aylesbury United 1.

Chasetown pushed harder down the right in the second half and Smith’s shot was headed over the bar on 49 minutes.

One minute later the Scholars were awarded a penalty after Richard Batchelor was brought down in the area and Smith stepped up to fire the equaliser to Vincent’s left.

Vaughan Thomas then headed Mark Branch’s corner goalwards but Vincent punched it over the bar as the home side began to turn up the heat.

On 57 minutes Smith was fouled and Mark Branch sent in a swinging free kick which skipper Richard Teesdale headed on to allow Luke Reynolds to tap home and complete a turnaround by the Scholars.

Batchelor headed away a free kick on 68 minutes before Slater’s great afternoon continued as he was well-placed to clear a corner.

Chasetown: Price, P Harris, M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Teesdale (C), Holland, J Branch, Reynolds, Smith, Batchelor. Subs: Birch (Reynolds 90), Sheppard (Batchelor 80), Williams, Miller, H Harris (Smith 92).

Aylesbury: Vincent, Kavanaugh, Taylor, Saulsbury, Swonnez (C), Butler, Boyce, Roberts, Lafayette, Marsh, Mead. Subs: Mealor (Saulsbury 18), Hawkins (Boyce 73), Graham (Marsh 57), Jones, Miles.