Chasetown Preview

In a hastily arranged game, on Saturday 9th February Colls will host Chasetown at the Skuna. The fixture originally scheduled to be played on 23rd March was brought forward by the league after last weekend's round of games was decimated by the weather. If you are familiar with the name Chasetown, it is probably following their FA Cup exploits of the noughties. The Scholars faced Oldham Athletic in the First Round of 2005 in a televised tie. They then bettered this in 2007/08, beating Port Vale to reach the Third Round before losing to eventual finalists Cardiff City. You may also be familiar with the manager, Scott Dundas. Scott managed Norton United as they advanced from the North-West Counties Division One to the Evo-Stik League in 3 years (sound familiar). Last season Chasetown competed in the Evo-stik Division South, finishing a creditably 5th, earning them a play-off tie away at Bedworth United in which they were edged out 2-1. They currently sit in 15th in the Evo-Stik West Division 1, comfortably clear of any relegation worries, tightly packed with fellow Midlands teams Newcastle Town, Kidsgrove Athletic and Market Drayton Town. The teams met at The Scholars Ground in early October, the weather and distance down the M6 not putting the Colls loyal support off on a Tuesday night. The game was a tight affair clinched by a second half Vinny Bailey goal. The Chase keeper Curtis Pond putting in one of the best displays you will see to deny Ben Hardcastle and Jordan Cover. Dangerman for The Chase striker Tom Hill who was signed from Wolves Sporting after scoring 59 goals in the West Midlands League last season. They are also bolstered by the signing of James Askey from Stafford Rangers, yet to make his debut after last week's game at Glossop was unsurprisingly called off. Colls will have to adapt to the loss of influential midfielder Ben Conway, as he travels to New Zealand with our best wishes. Date: 9th Feb 2019 Time: 15.00 Postcode M46 9EY Admission Adults - £7 Conc - £4 U16 - £2 U12 - free with paying adult £1 off with Bents & Bongs Beer Bash programme