Chasetown 1 Sutton Coldfield 2
Chasetown's outside chance of winning the Southern League suffered a massive setback as they were beaten 2-1 at home by local rivals Sutton Coldfield.
Chasetown's outside chance of winning the Southern League suffered a massive setback as they were beaten 2-1 at home by local rivals Sutton Coldfield.
The visitors were worthy winners.
After 11 minutes Junior Brown fired a shot which Ryan Price held well in the Chasetown goal, and then Jake Murrall drove a 25-yard effort narrowly wide.
Chasetown had two sniffs at goal as Danny Smith had a shot blocked for a corner by Brown and then, when keeper Chris Gemmell made a mess of a clearance, Smith set up Gary Birch, whose shot was held by Gemmell.
Man of the match Jamille Matt forced a save from Price and then Price blocked from Edward Booth. It was no surprise when the visitors took the lead on 25 minutes. Matt cut inside the penalty area and picked his spot to fire beyond the dive of Price.
The Scholars responded with a Smith effort straight at Gemmell and then Charlie Blakemore's men had the perfect opportunity to level in the 36th minute.
Brothers on opposing sides were at the heart of the incident as Richard Batchelor's downward header found Smith, who was hauled to the ground by older brother Michael Batchelor.
But Smith missed the target with his penalty.
A minute before half-time Chasetown almost drew level, when Smith turned in the area and set up Batchelor, who was blocked by a combination of defenders and Gemmell.
Smith hobbled off seconds before half-time, with his replacement Dean Perrow was a whisker away just after the interval with a first time volley.
Midfielder Craig Owen struck the crossbar for the visitors in the 52nd minute.
Vaughan Thomas headed a Mark Branch corner over and Chasetown hit the cross bar themselves with a Ben Steane corner kick.
It was the away side that doubled their advantage though in the 70th minute. Price saved Owen's initial shot but James Quiggan was on hand to turn in the rebound.
The 427 crowd had some hope when Perrow turned and fired home in the 89th minute, to set up a dramatic finish for the home side.
Chasetown: Price, J Branch, M Branch, Teesdale, Thomas, Williams, Steane, Slater, Birch, Smith, R Batchelor.
Subs: Perrow (for Smith, 44 mins), Ricketts, Onokah (for R Batchelor, 75 mins), Parsons, Sheppard (for Slater, 55 mins).
