CHASETOWN EARN NARROW VICTORY OVER RESOLUTE TIVIDALE

CHASETOWN 2 V TIVIDALE 1
EVOSTIK NORTHERN PREMIER SOUTH @ THE SCHOLARS GROUND
2 APRIL 2016 --- 3PM

THE SCHOLARS GROUND STAND, JUST LIKE TNS IN MINI

A determined performance from bottom club Tividale very nearly denied Chasetown the victory they required to maintain their play off push.  It was all square at half time with Chasetown unable to convert their pressure into goals and they so very nearly paid for it when Tividale saw their confidence rise and create some excellent chances before the break.  The second half saw the home side break the deadlock thanks to a superb Henry Eze header before Nick Turton made it 2-0 just as it was starting to enter the comfort zone the visitors pulled a goal back through Matt Jukes and the last quarter of an hour was nail biting for the Scholars fans.

CLUBHOUSE AND MAIN STAND AT CHASETOWN FC

The game in a little while first how did we get to this fixture, well I'm still not sure as this match had not registered on the selection list but it was to prove a first visit to both the town and ground.  Todays intentions had been to go to Bolehall Swifts v Bromsgrove Sporting but after a call to the club and a very clear answer that the game was unlikely to survive a morning downpour it was time to plan a change of venue.  By this time we were about to set off from base to Derby by bus as per our original plans to Tamworth to link up with the 1237 train.  After hopping onto a bus to get us the station forecourt the research into other possible games had brought us to 4 options, one at Pelsall Villa had just been postponed and we selected 2 Evostik games as the most likely.  Having called both clubs the first took 4 different selection options to get anybody and didn't sound to confident so the decision was taken to call Chasetown where the call was answered promptly and a clear game on answer was received.  Tamworth was reached with a sharp change of platform to reach Lichfield Trent Valley just after 1.15pm.  We missed one of a sparse bus service that links the station with Lichfield city centre and took on the 20 minute walk for the Arriva 60 service from the bus station at 1.48pm to Cannock which would deposit us in Chasetown at just after 3pm.
Only it didn't.........a no show was the order of the day and we eyed up the taxi stand over the road at Lichfield City station for the 5 mile trip with the next bus at 2.03pm with an arrival at 2.25pm.  Its a pet hate to arrive too late I like to get their in time to have a good look round and consume some local delicacy but here today needs must, at least we would get to the game if the second bus turned up.  Indeed just before 2pm the service 61 arrived and departed on time, very shortly we were in Chasetown and decided we would have half an hour at the end of the game to have a little look around so for now it was a dash down Church St passing the old miners cottage including the 'overmans house'.  Over the way from these cottages is the Parish Church St Anne's which has the fact of the day in that it was the first Church in England to have electric lights!

CROWN HIGHWAYS STAND WITH EXCELLENT VISIBLE LIVERY

Soon after Chasetown FC appears with a nice little approach for the pedestrian opening up to two turnstiles one for full price supporters and one for concessionary fans.  The blog has mentioned many a time that first impressions are important for clubs here I handed over £8 and during the whole of the transaction never received any form of greeting never mind a 'thank you'.

REFEREE MARK HOWES IN CONTROL

Having kindly obtained the teams off a lady by the entrance to the bar I popped inside for a quick look at the club shop that had moved inside the club house and was appearing to be well operated.  The club house has a small stand attached to the front of it with an extended flat roof which makes for a very cosy feel to proceedings but is a good use of space.  Walking round in a clockwise route past our entrance turnstiles the first of the toilet block which were smart and clean and panelled out with pvc, nice job Chasetown.  Behind the goals is a sponsored Atcost terrace and to its right hand side a small uncovered scaffold type stand often seen at small cricket ground venues with striking blue seats.  This area also houses the portable and large snack bar which I guess is contracted out by the club, sadly the half time break saw a malfunction on the chip fryer so I didn't obtain any food although Mick was happy with his chip cob before kick offer.  The one thing about the ground and its surrounds is the amount of space the club has for any development or I guess events they want to stage its quite cavernous.  The far touchline has a nice stepped terracing with both dugouts and 4th officials dug out situated there too.  Onto the opposite goals and again a nice wide terracing and ground to the rear leads us to a 'temporary' canvass type green seated stand similar in style to TNS in The Welsh premier League although a little smaller in size.  Situated behind the corner flag is the definite highlight of the ground the public address system operators, and here I'm not sure what to call it, beach hut type building a quirky and interesting addition.

IS THERE A BETTER PA HUT?

Rolling back to the main club house side we again have a deep terrace area and a further block of toilets adding to a third set by the club house.  Toilets are often a problem at some non league clubs but credit here again to Chasetown who seem to have all options covered!

FRONT SEAT VIEW FOR TODAYS LIVE RADIO REPORTS

Having done the walk, in which I managed to grab a nice quick chat with todays officials, referee Mark Howes and his assistants Scott Chalkley and Thomas Moule, it was time for kick off with not much time for the much preferred hour to soak up the feeling of any new ground.
Chasetown were in need of a win to continue their challenge to enter the play off positions and Tividale well it was all about local pride as they sat rooted to the foot of the table.

NOW I WONDER WHO ARE THE LEAGUE SPONSORS

The game started with the home side on the attack and wave after wave of moves were repelled by tackles, blocked shots and desperate clearances.  The more Tividale denied Chasetown their confidence visibly rose and on 27 minutes they very nearly scored.  Chris Sterling saw his header going goal bound and as players seemed to go into slow motion it was Eze who reacted and clear off the line with an overhead kick!  A few moments later somehow and mainly thanks to home number 1 John Bateman Chasetown avoided going behind again thanks to saves from Chris Rabone, Sterling and Dimetri Brown all in the same move.

LEAPING TAKE BY TOM TURNER IN THE TIVIDALE GOAL

After the break Chasetown continued to play free flowing football to the edg of the box when once again Tividale were stoic in defence.

EZE FOR HENRY AS HE HEADS CHASETOWN INTO THE LEAD

The breakthrough finally arrived for the home side when a free kick of the left, awarded for an obstruction was taken by Jed Davies for Eze to rise and powerfully head home at the far post after 58 minutes.

NICK TURTON ON HIS WAY TO GOAL

Like buses the second goal came along soon after, 64 minutes, when substitute Nick Turton took the ball round visiting keeper Tom Turner to slot home with a cross goal shot to send the team into wild scenes of joy as the security of a two goal cushion was reached.

NOW FOR THE FINISH

Once again though Tividale came back into the game by pulling a goal back on 73 minutes and if they can play with this determination you have to question why thy are bottom of the league.  It was another substitute getting on the score sheet in Matt Jukes who spun and fired home after an assist from Bradley Smith.

Both sides now were going full out for the next goal and it was nerve wracking last 1/4 of an hour for the home fans but when referee Howes blew his final whistle Chasetown had bagged 3 more points and Tividale whose efforts had been admirable were left with nothing to show in the points stakes.

TURTON IN CELEBRATORY MODE AFTER THE SECOND

With half an hour to spend in the town a quick visit to the smart Coop for provision saw us take a brief walk along the High St passing the 'dog beautician parlour' and back to the bus stop for the Arriva journey that took us back to Lichfield.  As per a few weeks ago on our visit to Walsall Wood we made a decision to catch the express bus to Tamworth were we spent a leisurely 20 minute walk to the station.  While there we managed to spot Bolehall Swifts floodlights from the higher level platform and also get into conversation with a hopper who had been to see Daventry v Stocksbridge.  A comfortable change in Derby saw us arrive back at base station just after 7.30pm from what had been an enjoyable but fraught day of on the hoof planning.