Chasetown 1 Aylesbury 0
On an afternoon when chances were few and far between, Chasetown got back into winning ways with a 1-0 success over Aylesbury United to cement their position on top of the British Gas Business Midland Division 1, writes Dave Goddard.
On an afternoon when chances were few and far between, Chasetown got back into winning ways with a 1-0 success over Aylesbury United to cement their position on top of the British Gas Business Midland Division 1, writes Dave Goddard.
Kyle Perry netted for the Scholars on 58 minutes, after the home side had enjoyed a rare break from the midfield in a game dominated by both sides' back and centre lines.
After Dean Perrow's first minute chance had gone wide, the sides cancelled each other out for much of the first half, with Paul Spacey and Vaughan Thomas displaying some lively defending.
The Scholars enjoyed the majority of the possession, and Craig Holland collected a Mark Branch cross on 12 minutes only to be dispossessed at the moment of shooting by Jamie O'Grady.
On 32 minutes Ducks striker Kevin Mealor sotle into Chasetown's area after beating three defenders, but his run was halted by Thomas at the last moment.
Minutes later another Mealor attack was stopped in front of goal by Spacey, before Lee Evans made a fine save from an O'Grady corner.
Chasetown increased the pressure shortly before the break, with a shot from Perry rattling the crossbar.
The stalemate continued into the second half, with Kevin Mealor and Sam Swonnel leading the visitors' charge, although Swonnel was later to receive a booking for a challenge on Ben Steane.
The deadlock was broken when a shot from Craig Holland was blocked by the Aylesbury defence just before the hour.
Perrow following up only to see his shot rebound off Ducks keeper Tom Vincent's legs before the ball fell to Perry who headed home from close range.
Moments later a second effort from Holland was parried by Vincent as the home side made another rare breakthrough.
Thereafter the game slipped back into the midfield, and despite a late rally by the visitors the Scholars held on for victory.
Chasetown: Evans, Spacey, M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Williams, Steane (S Smith 87), Parsons, Perry, Perrow (D Smith 89), Holland. Subs not used: McMahon, J Branch, Twigger.
Aylesbury: Vincent, Liburd, Gordon (Goss 61), Leach, Kavanagh, Taylor, OÕGrady (Ripley 71), Swonnel, Joe, Graham, Mealor (Covington 83). Subs not used: Sillitoe, Henney.
