The match started with Rushall earning an early free-kick. However, the resulting effort sailed harmlessly over Pond’s crossbar. The opening exchanges saw Rushall dictate possession, but a moment of quality from Langston opened up the game. His pinpoint through-ball nearly found Chimenes, only for a last-ditch deflection off a Rushall defender to allow Moloney to collect.

Momentum began to shift when Cater was brought down, winning a free-kick on the right. Langston floated a teasing ball to the back post, where O’Callaghan rose well but saw his header smartly saved by Moloney. The turning point arrived shortly after, when Cater was again fouled — this time right on the edge of the box. Rushall’s challenge not only conceded the set piece but reduced them to ten men after a straight red was shown, leaving them with an uphill battle.

Chasetown capitalized quickly, forcing their first corner of the match. Langston again delivered into the danger zone, but Moloney stood firm to claim under pressure. Despite being down a man, it was Rushall who opened with a goal with a defensive lapse by O’Callaghan gifted Williams the opener.

But their joy was short-lived. In a swift response, Cater drove a low cross to the back post where Butlin timed his run to perfection, slotting past Moloney to level the score. Moments later, Hayward floated a cross into the area, and Butlin, once again in the right place at the right time,turned it home to give Chasetown a 2-1 lead before the break.

The second half saw all Chasetown,Cater tested Moloney early, narrowly dragging his shot wide. Butlin wasn’t to be denied his moment of glory, completing a well deserved hat-trick with a composed finish in the box, lifting the ball over both defenders and the keeper to make it 3-1.

Langston continued to pull the strings from midfield, firing just over before Cater put the final stamp on the match with a powerful drive into the net, sealing a dominant 4-1 win for The Scholars.

A resilient team display sees Chasetown crowned Staffordshire Cup champions.
A huge congratulations goes out to the players, Staff, directors, volunteers, and everyone behind the scenes of Chasetown!