The game was decided by a 72nd minute penalty converted by former Red Dean Perrow who took his seasons tally to 24 league goals and now leads the way as the league’s top goal scorer writes Russell Brown.

With both sides fielding ex-players, this derby day encounter carried an extra edge, with the Red’s already holding an advantage over Chasetown having inflicted a 1-0 win at Noose Lane and it was the visitors who showed early promise as Anthony Nicholls diving header was dealt with by Lee Evans. The keeper was then called upon to stop Willenhall’s top scorer Tyrone Barnett as the visitors had the better start.
Steve Palmer’s corner flew through a crowded area, but the tempting ball failed to get what would have been a scoring touch by anyone in a Red shirt.

Mark Branch’s corner caught in the wind and Steve Brock was fortunate to have sufficient defenders in front of him to clear as he failed to get a clean connection with a punch. Branch came even closer seconds later as he crashed a header against the bar with the keeper beaten.
Perrow got behind Danny Harvey to push the ball into the path of Danny Smith who somehow screwed his shot into the arms of Brock with the goal at his mercy.

Chasetown had picked up the tempo and once again the dangerous Perrow found a way through the Red’s defence to place the ball into the path of Neil Aulton, but Brock was aware of the danger and the former Kidderminster Harriers shot stopper did just enough to put the incoming wingback.

After the break Aulton was again denied by a fine save from Brock and from the follow up Branch was denied the chance to score in a third successive game for the Scholars by Ross Brown on the line.

With the game still finely poised Chasetown got the vital break in the 72nd minute. Perrow was brought down by Brown as he attempted to squeeze into the area and immediately the assistant indicated a penalty. Perrow, celebrating signing a contract with the Scholars earlier in the week, repaid the faith manager Charlie Blakemore has in the ace marksman, by picking himself up and driving the spot kick in off the post with keeper Brock going the wrong way.

Despite making attacking substitution’s with Willenhall bringing on Josh McKenzie and Justin Nisbett, the visitors inability to find a goal scoring finish once again came back to haunt them as they finally slipped to defeat, leaving manager Dean Edwards looking more towards next seasons campaign, whilst his opposite number now plans for the visit of Leighton Town to the Scholars ground on Tuesday night as Chasetown make their late attempt to secure that vital play-off place.

Chasetown: Evans, Aulton, M Branch, Spittle, Miller, Williams, Steane (Penny), Walters, D Smith, Perrow (Woodvine), Hawkins (J Branch)

Other Subs: Holland, Dubidat (not used)