HEATH HAYES 0 CHASETOWN 1, PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY, THURSDAY 22ND JULY
Chasetown continued their build up to their first season in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League with a visit to near neighbours Heath Hayes, and came away with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Chris Peel strike in the second half.
Chasetown created what few chances there were to score in the first half, Jack Farmer’s cross from the right finding Peel unmarked in front of goal but his first time left foot effort went over the bar. Moments later an Andre Gonzales cross from the right found Chasetown captain Dave Egan at the far post but his left foot effort was straight at former Chasetown keeper Adam Lane. The hosts’ best chance came just before the break but their tame shot was easily collected by Dale Faultless in the Scholars goal.
Half time: Heath Hayes 0 Chasetown 0.
Chasetown manager Andy Cox continued his pre season policy of using all of the squad at his disposal by bringing on five substitutes at the break but it was Heath Hayes who should have taken the lead early in the second half, Farmer on hand to clear off the line at the far post.
Chasetown settled and there were good chances for Andy Westwood as Lane had to be alert to push over a long range effort and again it was the keeper who came to Heath Hayes’ rescue as he dived full stretch to keep out a Corey Currithers header from seven yards out.
The Scholars took the lead soon afterwards when Currithers fed the ball in to Peel who jinked one way and then the other before planting the ball left footed into the far side of the net with the home keeper well beaten.
The visitors made a further seven changes during the half and Peel and Currithers both went close to increasing the lead but both shots went wide of the mark.
Chasetown Squad (22 players used) Faultless, Farmer, Jones, Stretton, Jevons, Egan, Gonzales, Smith L, Birch, Smith D, Peel, O’Callaghan, Parsons, Horton, Embrey, Crutchley (GK), Westwood, Rock, Currithers, Hawkins, Deakin, Imerfreys.
Chasetown are next in action on Saturday away at Romulus (3pm kick-off) before Aston Villa send a side to visit the Scholars Ground on Monday – please note the earlier kick-off time of 7.15pm.
