Chasetown pull off striker coup

Chasetown have pulled off a coup with the signing of striker Nathan Lamey after his release from Bromsgrove.

The 27-year-old chose the Scholars ahead of Hednesford, Worcester, Stourbridge and Willenhall, saying he had heard good things about the club.

Lamey trained with the Scholars for the first time last night, but is cup-tied along with fellow new arrival Lee Bullimore for tomorrow's FA Trophy clash against Radcliffe Borough.

The former Wolves, Cambridge, Moor Green and Hinckley forward was the British Gas Business Midland division's 31-goal top scorer last season.

He joins a logjam of forwards at Church Street with 11-goal Dean Perrow, Kyle Perry, Danny Smith, Karl Edwards and Bullimore battling for places.

But manager Charlie Blakemore insisted he couldn't turn down the chance when Lamey became available.

"He phoned me to say he'd been released from Bromsgrove and had been impressed with what we've got here and wanted to sign for us," said Blakemore.

"He didn't ask about money which was fantastic – that's just the type we want."

Meanwhile, midfielder Nick Hawkins has rejoined full training for the first time since fracturing his ankle but won't be considered tomorrow.

Scholars wing-back Mark Branch has been nominated by FA Cup sponsors eon as a candidate for player of the round after he helped set up both goals against Nuneaton in the 2-1 fourth qualifying round win.