CHAPEL 100% RECORD CONTINUES AT ASHOVER

ASHOVER 2 CHAPEL TOWN 3

HOPE VALLEY LEAGUE PREMIER AT MILKEN LANE

23 OCTOBER 2021 --- 2PM

LIAM WALLER GIVES ASHOVER THE LEAD V CHAPEL TOWN

Chapel Town retained their 100% record with this narrow victory at Milken Lane but make no mistake Ashover pushed them all the way and in the end were very unfortunate to gain nothing in the points stakes from this game, although they did received the plaudits for their efforts in a highly entertaining fixture.

ASHOVER IN ALL ITS BEAUTY FROM HILLTOP

After three weeks in A division with New Tupton it was time to have a little change for the purpose of something different for the blog and although the 'old days' of big travels countrywide are still not on the agenda the comfort of The Hope Valley League has been a blessing with some excellent games and friendly clubs too.  So the first visit of this season to see Don Carline's Ashover would be made by a round about walk which was built into the afternoon.  Avoiding the direct walk a march out around the country lanes and viewing vantage points overlooking this lovely area and Ashover was undertaken and pitch side was arrived at just a few minutes before kick off after about ninety minutes from base.  With cricket the village has been covered many times before but as regulars will know its a pretty location which I wont describe again but kindly guide you to the last few months articles featuring cricket or football here.  

EARLY ASHOVER PRESSURE

Chapel Town, from Chapel en le Frith to avoid confusion with the South Yorkshire of similar make up, are a side that I always try to catch up with and following their previous pedigree in The Manchester League seem to always be vying away at the top of the league, this season is no exception with seven straight wins so far.  Added to this their home is probably the only ground in this league that has a resemblance of a 'non league ground' and sadly Rowton Park still remains on the to do list.  I look forward to it soon as the town has enough to keep you interested from previous visits and it will be good to have a fresh look around again.

ASHOVER IN CONTROL

Firstly thanks to Don and visiting manager  Jason Adshead for confirming their goal scorers and since speaking to Jason I have explored their website squad feature a little more so hopefully have some of the additional names in this report, but only a few.

THE RACE IS ON 

With experienced referee Pete Selby getting us underway it would see Chapel Town in an attractive kit featuring turquoise kicking towards the Milken Lane end.  The opening exchanges were very even but slowly Ashover appeared to be getting an upper hand backed up when they opened the scoring on twenty two minutes thanks to Liam Waller guiding the ball home past a full length effort to save from the Chapel keeper.  The league leaders wouldn't take this lying down but appeared to be getting frustrated with one another and Ashover started to feel a little but more comfortable but that wasn't to last when rather harshly on them the visitors would score two goal in three minutes just before the break to go into the team talks ahead.  On forty one minutes Lewis Coates slotted home from a one on one situation with home keeper Matt Bradwell and then as Ashover failed to clear their lines Kieran Lugsden turned sharply and fired home at the back post.

CHAPEL IN CONTROL THIS TIME

The half time break did Ashover no immediate harm because on fifty two minutes they were deservedly level again when Aidan Ordidge coolly finished to declare 'game on'.  But straight from the re start disaster struck when Coates curled a tantalising cross in off the left and from my view behind the goal it brushed the head of Josh Smith-Seymour although the club credited the goal to Coates who I'm sure will be happy to claim the brace.

AIDAN ORDIDGE RECEIVES THE PLAUDITS FOR THE SECOND ASHOVER GOAL

Ashover showed great resilience when the could have collapsed and they continued to pepper crosses and shots at the Chapel goal but keeper and defence held strong.  To add to the excitement Chapel were determined to extend their lead and the agility of home keeper Bradwell was on hand to deny them with four excellent shot stopping saves, three of which were from danger man Coates.

ANOTHER SECOND HALF ATTACK FOR CHAPEL TOWN

It was one of those games that you did not want to end as both teams looked to continue their attacking style of play but end it did when referee Selby, who it must be said had an excellent game, signalled time.  Chapel would be mightily relieved at keeping their run going and they as usual have some good players and as a club will always be 'there or there abouts'.  For Ashover it was a hard loss to take but they showed enough that if they can keep their squad together this season it should be a top half finish for them.

REFEREE SELBY AND MARK TIMOTHY DISCUSS BEARDS IN A STOPAGE IN PLAY

Next week Chapel return to Rowton Park for the game of the day when the welcome second placed Bradwell who after promotion from last seasons A division have been many peoples tips for the top but we shall see when they come up against the lads from Chapel who will be full on to keep their record intact and open up a gap at the top of the table with a win.

AND FINALLY A CLOSE UP CROSS FOR CHAPEL