Chasetown back on Cup trail

Chasetown 2 Cambridge City 1 (AET)

FA Cup fever has once again gripped Chasetown as their dramatic extra-time win over Blue Square South side Cambridge propelled them into the third qualifying round.

After gaining a very creditable draw at the City Ground on Saturday, the Scholars went one better at Church Road, ousting their higher league opponents in front of an ecstatic 400 plus crowd to earn a home tie against Northern Counties East Division one side Rainworth Miners Welfare.

The Scholars started the brightest with City's Adam Everitt booked early on after he cynically pulled back Paul Spacey.

The home side had cause for alarm when the dangerous Michael Gash went close with a header from a City corner.

Some rare hesitation in the Scholars defensive ranks then saw Lee Roache flash an effort wide of the target.

The best chance of the half saw Dean Perrow squeeze the ball through to Spacey, who saw his looping effort beat keeper Shane Herbert but cannon of the angle of the woodwork.

It was still nip and tuck after the break with Herbert just getting in front of Kyle Perry to make a saving punch as Spacey's cross was heading for the big striker.

The goal that brought the Church Road crowd alive came in the 62nd minute.

A foul on the Chasetown right gave the home side the chance to push bodies into the area, but Mark Branch instead opted for a more direct route, curling in the set-piece with precision to leave Herbert rooted to the spot as the ball nestled in the back of the net.

It was no more than the underdogs deserved and sparked the visitors into increasing their workload and introducing the pacy Ashley Fuller intothe fray.

Once again, the strength of the Chasetown defence came under scrutiny but, led superbly captain Lee Parsons, the Blues held firm until seven minutes from time.

A clearance from Herbert dropped at the feet of Gash and he set off on a powerful run before firing past Lee Evans.

As the tie entered extra-time, Chasetown were kept in the game by a superb penalty area tackle from Chris Slater to deny Gash.

With a penalty shoot-out lottery five minutes away, Branch delivered a corner towards the far post and central defender Joe Williams sent the home crowd wild as he thrust out a leg to stab the ball in and grab a dramatic late winner.

Chasetown: Evans, Spacey, M.Branch, Slater, Thomas, Williams, Steane, Parsons, Perry (Smith), Perrow (Edwards), Holland (J.Branch). Subs: Twigger, Thompson.

Cambridge City: Herbert, Bruce, Everitt, Chaffey, Fuff, Bowditch (EÕBayer), Wales (Gonnell), Simpson, Gash, Midgley, Roache (Fuller). Subs: Wall, Davies.

Referee: Mr S.J.Barrow.

Attendance: 444