Chasetown ready for derby clash

Chasetown are gearing up for the big festive cracker – and it's not just their historic FA Cup clash with Cardiff they're talking about.

While the Scholars' Cup run has thrilled the whole region, their league campaign has had to take a back seat recently.

But they have three big games in the BGB Southern League Midlands division before their third-round tie against Dave Jones's side.

And the next one, Rushall away on Boxing Day, is the big local derby where they have a score to settle after they claim Rushall snubbed their FA Cup run.

"When Rushall played up at York I heard their secretary Pete Arrowsmith on the radio say 'that's history' when Tony Butler asked him about Chasetown," said chairman John Donnelly.

"I told our lot to just ignore it because things like that don't matter – it's what you do on the pitch that matters and we're still in the Cup.

"One or two of them will have a touch of the green-eyed monster, but we're bigger than that."

Boss Charlie Blakemore, who lists Rushall as one of his former clubs, said: "In fairness there's been a few things said in the past.

"There are a couple of people (there) who don't like to see us doing well and that's got back, but I don't want to be focusing on that. It's about getting on with the football.

"They will want to put one over on us. Equally, we're as keen to beat them. We know the importance of the game.

"I wouldn't class Rushall as being any more important than the other games because it's not – there's only three points at stake, but it's important we get them.

"But the fact that it's a derby means there's an extra edge and I'm sure they will want to knock us off our perch. We'll be ready for that."

Blakemore revealed any bad feeling is not between the respective dugouts.

"There's some great people at Rushall – I think Paul Holleran and Chris Brindley are doing a great job," he said.

"They have rung me before our Cup games wishing us all the best, so on the playing side, the relationship is good."

Chasetown's Cup successes have seen a growing number of scouts attending their games. Ironically, some of the biggest

interest shown has been from Port Vale, the team they dumped out of the Cup.

Boss Lee Sinnott has enquired about defender Chris Slater, wing-back Mark Branch and striker Kyle Perry.

Blakemore laps up the attention and has several players trying to gatecrash his buoyant squad.

"I have five or six players pushing for places and waiting for a shirt," he said. "It's a shame Nathan (Lamey) is cup-tied because he hasn't been able to play all the games, but there's Nathan, Paul Spacey, the new lads Liam Hearns, Todd Perry, Scott Clamp and Dave Woodvine, as well as Danny Smith, Sam Smith and Karl Edwards.

The Scholars boss is delighted Edwards has decided to reject an approach from

Willenhall, who have signed Chasetown reserve striker Danny Dubidat.

And Blakemore – a lifelong Wolves fan and former coach there – hopes to fulfil a lifelong dream of walking out at Molineux on new year's day after Wolves invited the Chasetown squad to appear at a game.

Wolves have also offered the club use of their £3m Sir Jack Hayward training ground on Friday, January 4, 24 hours before their big clash with Cardiff.

With the Cardiff tie confirmed at Chasetown, ticket prices are £20 and £14 and are expected to go on sale to executive club members, season-ticket holders and

sponsors on December 27.