Express & Star

Momentum is key for Chasetown

Chasetown hope the momentum they have built up over the past month will carry them through the play-offs.

Published

The Scholars go into their post-season Evo-Stik League Division One South campaign on the back of a 5-0 victory over champions Basford United on Saturday.

And manager Scott Dundas is looking for more of the same in their play-off semi-final at Bedworth United tonight (7.45pm).

“Hopefully we can take that momentum, football and goalscoring into the next game,” said the boss. “From start to finish, we were fantastic – the lads performed really well.

“Now it’s a one-off game. Anything can happen. We have to go there and play how we have over the last nine months.”

Chasetown and Bedworth have shared a win apiece this season – the victor on home soil on each occasion – and ended the campaign separated by just one point in the table, but that was enough to gift United a tie in front of their own fans.

“It’s a massive advantage for them on the 3G pitch,” conceded Dundas, who was also keen to stress that the pressure was off his side to an extent.

“We’ve had a fantastic season, whatever happens,” he added. “Everything that happens is a bonus, but we might as well try to go and win it now.”

Club captain Spencer Gunnell is set to be the Scholars’ only absentee on the pitch, despite making his long-awaited comeback from a ruptured Achilles as a late substitute on Saturday. He is unlikely to be risked on Bedworth’s artificial pitch.

Chasetown held their annual presentation on Saturday night. Chris Baker was named the supporters’ player of the year and players’ player of the year, while Curtis Pond picked up the manager’s player of the year award.

Oli Hayward was named young player of the year, while Jack Langston received a trophy for being named in the Evo-Stik League Division One South team of the year.

Other award winners were Janice Brookes (Mick Andrews Memorial Trophy), Nick Wellecomme (April Player of the Month) and Trevor Youngman (Norris Russell Memorial Award).