Northern Premier League Division One South - THE MATCH

Chasetown 2-0 Willenhall Town

Reece Styche 30, 76

'Chasing the Pack' - Official Match Report

 Chasetown cemented their place in the Unibond Division One South top 3 with a win over Willenhall, who saw Steve Pomroy take to the dugout for the first time.
The first half saw the game played in cold, rainy conditions, and started with some good passing football from Willenhall, with Shaun Findlay and Jayson O’Kelly linking up to win a corner.
Chasetown replied 5 minutes later, as Wayne Brown’s header fell to Reece Styche, who shot over from inside the area.
On 21 minutes, a 25 yard effort from the home side flew just over the bar, whilst 3 minutes later, a Duncan Horler effort forced a fine save from Steve Jackson.
The home side broke the deadlock on the half hour mark, a 50-50 challenge in midfield saw the ball spin clear to Styche, he skipped past one challenge, before advancing on jackson’s goal, and cooly slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
Willenhall almost responded straight away, with the ball finding Findlay in space inside the area, only a fine challenge from Chris Slater preventing an effort on goal.
On 40 minutes, a corner was only cleared to Alex Roofe, who saw a 20 yard shot deflect out for another corner to Willenhall.
2 minutes before the break, Mark Branch’s curling free kick look destined for the net, only for a superb diving save from Jackson keeping the ball out.

Half time: Chasetown 1 Willenhall 0

A minute after the break, Jackson saw the ball slip through his hands, but after a chasetown player reached the loose ball first, his shot hit the post.
4 minutes later, Styche looked destined to double Chasetown’s lead as he was clean through on goal, but Jackson did well and blocked the effort.
After Styche had another effort which was just over the bar, Chasetown should have doubled their lead after a ball was flicked on towards the back post, only for it to be poked over the bar from close range.
Some good football on 70 minutes almost brought Willenhall level. As debutant Adrian Manchester chested the ball down for Rory Curtis, who volleyed just over.
After Mancester saw another effort blocked, a Chasetown counter attack saw Styche’s effort cleared off the line.
As Willenhall committed more men forward, Chasetown added a second goal to seal the game. A cross from the right wing fell kindly to the unmarked Styche, who slotted the ball in from 6 yards.

Chasetown line-up: Price, J. Branch, M. Branch, Slater, Saunders, Teesdale, Steane, Egan, Birch (Smith), Styche, Horler.

Willenhall line-up: Jackson, Roofe, Brown, Perry, Griffiths, Findlay, Yearwood (Nicholls), O’Kelly, Pugh (Curtis), Manchester, Pinnock (Igori).

Attendance: 316