Bedworth United

Comeback Kings

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Chasetown 2 Bedworth United 2

This was a real roller coaster of a ride for the huge following of Scholars supporters as they watched Chasetown stage a dramatic recovery to earn a point at Church Street writes Russell Brown.

After a disastrous first half that saw the home side trailing 2-0 at the break, Charlie Blakemore’s side pulled out all the stops to battle back and produce a late equaliser.

On a very wet and slippery pitch, this game looked sluggish in the opening 20 minutes but that was just a cover of the drama that was to unfold in front of a bumper 719 crowd that braved the elements.

After a couple of half chances the visitors stunned their host by taking the lead on 28 minutes. It was an excellent counter attacking move as Lee Darlison was released down the Chasetown right flank. The defender easily slotted the ball inside to Aman who found Kinder on the edge of the area. The in form striker shuffled across the pitch to release a low drive that caught Lee Evans flat footed as the ball skidded past the keeper.

Chasetown responded with a Vaughan Thomas header that was hacked off the line by Darlison.

A couple of meaty challenges from the Greenbacks saw striker Danny Smith come in for particular close attention, but the visitors doubled their lead in the 35th minute when a deep free kick dropped between the line of defenders and keeper with Aman alert enough to nip into the space to tuck the ball home.

Kyle Perry cut inside to fire a dipping shot that easily beat Andrew Kemp, but the effort clipped the top of the crossbar.

The half ended on a bizarre note as Smith was attempted to get up in the penalty area after a Chasetown attack had broken down only to be shoved back to the floor by Pitman. The assistant immediately flagged the offence and with Pitman receiving a yellow card, the crowd awaited the resultant penalty decision. Amazingly, the referee awarded a drop ball some ten yards outside the area.

After stern words in the dressing room it was a different Scholars side that took to the field. There was also a change in assistant on the line as an earlier injury had forced the home club to request a replacement over the tanoy. Mr Owen from Telford answered the call and was almost immediately involved in another contentious decision. The substitute linesman ruling out a Kevin Thompson header for offside.

The incidents came thick and fast after that and a flashpoint involving most of the two sides resulted in Kyle Perry and Nick Hawkins receiving bookings whilst Bedworth’s Greenway was shown a straight red card.

Chasetown made the most of their numerical advantage and Perry pulled a goal back for the Blues on 75 minutes, slotting in after keeper Kemp could not shepherd out a ball instead the Chaseton striker taking full advantage after the ball was clipped back into the area.

After that the home pressure was relentless and roared on by an enthusiastic crowd Chasetown finally grabbed a point saving equaliser when a poor punch from Kemp fell for Mark Branch whose instant return into the area was slammed home by a jubilant Perry in the 89th minute.

Chasetown: Evans, Spacey, M.Branch, Thompson (J.Branch), Thomas, Williams, Steane (Hawkins), Parsons, Perry, D.Smith, Holland (Edwards). Subs not used: S.Smith, Lamey.

Bookings: Perry, Hawkins.
Bedworth United: Kemp, Moran, Darlison, Greenway , Barnett, Pitham, Twigger, Starkey, Kinder (S.Williams), Aman, Baker (Davies). Subs not used: Thacker, Porter, Harris.

Bookings: Moran, Barnrett, Pitham, Darlison.
Sent Off: Greenway.
Referee: Mr R.J.Parker. Attendance: 719

picture  kyle perry celebrates his 2nd goal

mtch action http://www.chasetownfc.co.uk/scripts/photogallery.asp?collection=125