Had the finishing matched up to the imaginative approach play that Chasetown served up, then the visitors could have been on the receiving end of a real thumping, but on the day, Rothwell too were guilty of wasting four very good chances as the Bones left Church Street empty handed writes Russell Brown.

With manager Charlie Blakemore on holiday, team selection fell to his back up team of Paul Jones and Andy Turner, but given the Scholars excellent start to this season, there were no real surprises in the Chasetown line up. Retaining his place at right back was John Branch and Danny Smith was opted for as the strike partner for Kyle Perry up front, with nine goal Dean Perrow waiting on the bench.

It was a good start from the home side who conjured up two good chances from the left flank as Mark Branch’s first minute cross found the head of Danny Smith, but his early effort was just off target. A clever back heel from Craig Holland set up Branch to once again produce another dangerous ball and this time, neither Smith at the near post or Perry at the far could just stretch out the couple of inches required to plant the finishing touch in front of goal.

After starting off brightly, Chasetown then gifted Rothwell’s most dangerous player two chances. Kevin Byrne somehow blazing over a volley from a central position after a rare error from Joe Williams had presented the striker with the ball. Then Lee Evans came to the rescue to spread himself well to block after some more haphazard defending had let in Byrne.

The visitors were also making unforced mistakes and in the 16th minute a misplaced pass led to their downfall. Craig Holland easily intercepted an attempted cross field pass and the midfielder raced away from a stretched Rothwell defence to fire a low shot past Tom Smith and into the net.

Danny Smith should have made it two moments later when the Bones weak offside trap failed and the pacy striker was left alone to face the keeper. But this time his namesake stood up well and blocked the chance.
Chasetown continued to create some fine openings and John Branch was the latest to see Smith save as his snap shot worked the keeper. But on 36 minutes, the pressure paid off as the Bones were caught out once again by the ball over the top of a sluggish looking defence. Kyle Perry collecting the pass and with consummate ease, the striker hit his fourth goal of the season waiting for Smith to commit himself before sliding the ball home.

After the break, Smith was again the busier of the keepers as he saved well from Holland after Perry’s flick on had seen the midfielders first touch take him past the defender and into the six yard area, but it was Chasetown’s turn to get caught square at the back when John Stead raced away to confront Evans, however the youngster made a complete hash of his attempt to chip the keeper from the edge of the area, the final effort sailing harmlessly well over.

Stead was again at fault as he had positioned himself well to profit from a ball across the box, but from ten yards out he scuffed his shot weakly at Evans.

Chasetown regained their composure and started to force Rothwell into defending more deeply. Another poor ball from substitute Koriya let in Paul Spacey and the attacking substitute tried to bend the ball in from the edge of the area, but despite beating the stranded Smith the ball was just the wrong side of the far post.

It began to look ominous for the visitors as Chasetown started to get past a flagging Bones defence almost at will, but all the was lacking was the final touch as Smith and Perry both failed to hit the target from good positions.

With both Dean Perrow and Karl Edwards taking to the field, Chasetown had fresh legs to attack Rothwell and Edwards tried his luck from distance before a Thomas flick on found the striker at the far post, but his close range effort span wide.

Chasetown: Evans, J Branch, M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Williams, Steane, Parsons, Perry (Perrow), D Smith (Edwards), Holland (Spacey)

Other Subs: Thompson, S Smith (not used)