Chasetown 2 Grimsby 1
Chasetown lived up to their reputation as cup giantkillers with a win over Blue Square Premier outfit Grimsby.
Chasetown lived up to their reputation as cup giantkillers with a win over Blue Square Premier outfit Grimsby.
The Mariners were relegated out of the Football League at the end of last season and, while they were a superior technical side, it was the plucky Evo-Stick Premier outfit who were clinical when it mattered in the third round of the FA Trophy.
In a decisive 10-minute spell of pressure in the second-half, Gary Birch put the Scholars ahead from a corner before Richard Davies tapped in from close range after mix up in the Grimsby defence.
Grimsby pulled a goal back through Alan Connell but Chasetown's defence stood firm and added another famous scalp to their collection.
After a scrappy opening 20 minutes, Chasetown thought they had taken the lead when a Davies free-kick was turned into the net by David Egan but referee Marvyn Amphlett chalked it off after he saw an infringement inside the six-yard box.
Danny Smith, who had been Chasetown's FA Cup talisman in previous years, went close in the 30th minute when he twisted and turned his way past the Grimsby defence before he unleashed a powerful shot which crashed against the crossbar.
Grimsby goalkeeper Kenny Arthur then produced a superb double-save in the 37th minute when he first tipped Birch's header on to the bar then reacted quickly to deny Smith from close range.
The visitors responded moments later and Chasetown goalkeeper Ryan Price was forced to make his first meaningful save he palmed a long-range effort from Grimsby winger Michael Coulson over the bar.
Chasetown flew out the blocks after the break and were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute after Grimsby substitute Rob Eagle chopped down Smith inside the box.
Egan hit the penalty to the bottom-right corner but Arthur guessed correctly and the ball was cleared to safety.
However, the Scholars made amends from the resulting corner to take a deserved lead when Chris Peel's delivery was met by Birch who turned the ball past Arthur after a scramble inside the area.
Chaseown refused to sit back and doubled the advantage moments later when referee Amphlett allowed play to continue after a foul on Grimsby full-back Lee Ridley.
The home side capitalised on confusion in the Mariners defence and Davies tapped the ball into an empty net from close range.
It sparked Grimsby into life and a long spell of pressure saw them pull a goal back when striker Connell produced a cool finish from inside the box with 10 minutes remaining.
Grimsby pressed for an equaliser but could not find a way past goalkeeper Price and the Scholars held on to claim the victory.
