A very young Burntwood 2nds outfit took on a much older and experienced Wolverhampton team at Castlecroft and came up agonisingly short, going down by 20-17.

The future is bright as the young guns of Burntwood shone in the Wolverhampton mid-afternoon sunshine. Fielding a team mostly of Under 21 year olds the travelling team gave a fantastic account of themselves.

The undoing of Burntwood was their initial 10 minute first half display, still adjusting from the travel journey; they were slow out of the blocks and found themselves 10 points in arrears almost immediately.

However the response was superb and immediate. From the restart Wolverhampton knocked on and as the ball spilled clear, Lewis Aston was quickest to react and fed Luke Rookyard, who raced to the line unopposed. At half time Burntwood turned around 10-5 down.

The start of the second half could not have been any different to the first half. Burntwood sensed an early scoring opportunity and as they continually battered the home side’s line, Wolverhampton were forced to clear their lines but a poor kick found Matt Sishton, who slipped a pass to skipper John Haire to crash over in the corner.

The score was now 10-10 and all was to play for; Burntwood were now having the lion’s share of possession and seemingly on their way to a special victory. However, out of nothing they allowed the opposition Number 8 to break through three tackles in mid field and touch down under the posts which resulted in an easy conversion. This was then followed by a successful penalty kick after some poor discipline at a ruck by the Burntwood pack.

This further sparked the Burntwood side into life and Nick Peplow then scored the try of the game after some brilliant individual play by Rookyard, who somehow waltzed his way through a mesmerised Wolverhampton defence before popping to Peplow. Anthony Morgan converted to set-up an unbelievable finale.

Morgan went close at the death after a fine piece of individual skill but his final chip went just beyond the dead ball line when he could possibly have passed to his right to an unmarked Sishton for what would have been the winning score.

However, even in defeat, Burntwood should be very proud of their performance from such a young side.

Selecta FC made a brave attempt to claw themselves off the bottom of the Lichfield and District Football League Division Two, but came up short as they went down 4-2 against Lichfield Crown.

In Division Three, Burntwood AFC maintained their unbeaten season with a 4-3 win at AFC Kriss, while struggling Lichfield AFC earned a valuable point at home to Bowman.

Maude Sports Division Two:
Longhorn P Freemans P
Selecta FC 2 Lichfield Crown 4

Division Three:
AFC Kriss 3 Lichfield DC 4
Brickmakers Arms 1 Burntwood AFC 2
Dosthill Rangers 3 Railway Tavern 4
Freemans B P Trent Valley Rovers P
Lichfield AFC 1 Bowman 1
Shire Oak 0 Brownhills Lions 1

Top Twenty Cup Group B:
Old Swan P Shelfield Villa P

Top Twenty Cup Group C:
Pelsall Villa 3 Burntwood Dragons 1

Top Twenty Cup Group D:
Prince of Wales 3 Longdon 2

Terry Smith Cup Group A:
Walsall Wood Boatmans P St Matthews P

Terry Smith Cup Group B:
Erdington Star 2 ASP Boatmans Rest 1

H Boston Cup Group B:
Burntwood Star 3 Sporting Khalsa 1

Lichfield Challenge Cup:
Farmer Johns 3 Rushall 1
Rushall Boathouse 4 Hazelwood Athletic 6

Youth and experience combined to give Burntwood 3rds a hard fought 34-12 victory over a dogged Warley second string by 34-12.

Two tries apiece by skipper for the day Rob England and James Holmes, plus one each for James Wright and Gareth Wedge gave Burntwood the spoils in this hard fought contest.

In addition there were two conversions from Craig Addy as the home side played out an entertaining fixture with Warley.

Looking to the future, Burntwood again introduced a number of their talented younger players into the fold who all acquitted themselves extremely well.

Three first half goals fired Chasetown Reserves into the final of the Staffordshire Challenge Cup against local rivals Burntwood Town.

After suffering postponements due to the weather and ground unavailability the Scholars were eager to impress and delivered a positive and fast-paced performance to continue their mightily impressive season.

Chasetown took the game to their local opponents right from the kick-off, Jonathan Gould and Tom Lowe going close with headers in the opening minutes from Craig Deakin crosses while Dean Brookes found Burntwood’s first chance but his shot was tipped over the bar by keeper Mark Wiggins.

After constant pressure Chasetown took the lead on 19 minutes when Matt Wood’s free kick provoked a period of pinball in the penalty area before Jamie Aiton forced the ball over the line to put the Scholars ahead.

Further chances ensued for Tom Brown and Lowe before on 32 minutes Jordan Archer burst through from the centre and while visiting keeper Nathan Brown got a hand to his right-footed shot he could only help the ball into the net for 2-0.

Seven minutes later and some good work by the impressive Lowe saw him fire across the face of goal from a tight angle and winger Courtney Sowe was in position to tap the ball into the net to make it three for the Scholars.

The Scholars could afford to relax a little during the second half, but manager Andy Penny’s stentorian cries from the dugout kept them on their toes as Burntwood tried their hardest to strike back.

Skipper Andy Batha departed injured on 69 minutes before Stuart Birt replaced Lowe for the hosts and came close to scoring with his first touch but Burntwood keeper Brown was on hand at the near post.

Tom Brown then unleashed a screamer of a shot from 35 yards which flew just wide of his namesake’s far post, Nathan Brown putting in a decent second half performance with a couple of fine saves.

Samson Alalade came close to making it four with six minutes but his low shot went wide, while a Deakin cross in the closing minutes almost saw an own goal for the visitors but the alert Brown was able to gather as Chasetown progressed to a meeting with Cheadle Town in the final on a date yet to be announced.

Chasetown: Wiggins (c), Deakin, Sowe, Wood, Hulin, J Aiton, Degville-Cross, T Brown, Lowe, Archer, Gould. Subs: Darby (T Brown 78), Birt (Lowe 76), James, Alalade (Archer 45).
Burntwood: N Brown, Wright, Fardo, Batha (c), Hyden, Punnet, Barry, Moorhouse, Green, Brookes, London. Subs: S Street (Batha 69), L Street (London 66), Gentles, Turner, Kulik.

Seventeen points from outside half Matt Wood were not enough to earn a win for Burntwood RUFC but they did secure a losing bonus point which was a vast improvement on the drubbing they took at Leek back in October.

With Rob Cartwright skippering the side in the absence of Graham Shelley, Hal Gozukucuk returning to the back row and hooker Rhys Morgan making his first team debut it was a new look home side which took the field and they had the ideal start after just four minutes.

A kick downfield was chased by Wood who kicked ahead again to touch down for the first try. He added the conversion to put his side seven points up.

Leek hit back with a sustained attack, aided by a couple of penalties conceded by the hosts, which eventually gave Gary McDermott three points with a penalty goal after 15 minutes.

Five minutes later Burntwood stretched the visitors’ defence following good driving play by Mark Poole, Jack Neal and Gozukucuk. Wood darted through a gap but the ball was lost in contact when a try looked on.

However, a powerful drive by the home pack at a Leek scrum earned a penalty which Wood converted with a fine strike for 10-3.

Wood kept his side on top with a long range punt to the bottom corner. From a five metre scrum the ball was moved left then right but the Leek defence held before Burntwood were penalised for side entry at a maul.

With half an hour gone, the visitors retained possession around Burntwood’s 10 metre line making slow progress in the forwards. When the ball was passed wide Wood intercepted to race clean away only to be brought back for an offside decision which McDermott kicked for 10-6.

With the half well into added time, a prolonged Leek attack eventually saw the left winger finish off a move with a try in the corner which went unconverted to leave the hosts trailing by a point.

An early penalty chance for Leek in the second period was wide from long range but after ten minutes they did move further ahead. From a line out in the bottom corner, the ball was moved into midfield and then back right to take advantage of a 3 on 2 for a try which was superbly converted from the touchline.

With Tony Davies and Luke Briggs on for Poole and Mitch Adams, the home side tried to turn the tide but went further behind from a harshly-awarded penalty which was converted for 21-10.

Approaching 70 minutes Burntwood launched their best attack of the half resulting in a stunning try by Wood. Briggs and Neal broke over halfway to feed Wood. He sliced through a gap, chipped over the full back, re-gathered in his stride and raced to the try line. He also added an excellent conversion into the wind from wide out.

Burntwood’s chances of stealing an unlikely win suffered when Morgan went off inured on 75 minutes. Leek looked more threatening but a missed pass to a winger cost them a 3rd try but four minutes into added time they secured their win with a fourth penalty goal.

Burntwood U16s turned in a top class performance away to Willenhall to progress to the semi-final.

Straight from the off the visitors knew it was going to be their day as good forward phases lead to a blindside pass to Ben Tranter who sprinted to score the try. Charlie Liggins failed to convert.

Willenhall hit back instantly though as a sloppy kick fell into the hands of the winger who ran in to score. The conversion made it 7-5.

Burntwood then followed with another quick try as great running from outside centre Dan Black lead to Josh Birch to sprint in, Liggins converting.

The visitors scored their third of the morning when Tranter got on the end of Dan Bickley’s looped pass to run 60 metres and score his second. Liggins failed to convert making it 7-17.

A lack of discipline lead to prop Bickley being sin-binned but Burntwood continued their scoring even with 14 men as Callum Grundy crashed his way over in the corner.

The visitors stayed on top as they started the second half the brightest when Tranter sealed his hat-trick after supporting a great strong run by Matt Ford. Liggins converted making it 7-29.

It was then Willenhall’s turn as they scored when it seemed there would be a try saving tackle by in-form full back Elliot Wooley, but they failed to convert for the extras.

The rest of the half was to be Burntwood’s though as they scored another try when Josh Birch ran in off his wing to score underneath the posts. Liggins converted making it 12-36.

Their next try came when prop Dan Bickley crawled his way through a maul. Liggins converted making the score 12-43 to Burntwood. They then rounded off their scoring when a good off load by Harry Davison and a quality step and sprint by Ben Tranter lead to another 60 metre try for the winger. Liggins converted.

Mark Branch scrambles away with the ball. Pic: Pamela Mullins

For 83 minutes this match was a typical Chasetown performance of late – little ambition and lacklustre football with table-toppers Chester FC dominant, but in the closing minutes the Scholars turned things around and could even have stolen an unlikely victory.

Goalkeeper Ryan Price was the hero of the day with a string of fine saves including a penalty, while Dean Perrow’s late efforts warmed the home fans among the big crowd and many believed he was unlucky not to add to his 84th-minute equaliser in the closing seconds.

Chasetown’s first chance of the day came courtesy of a Mark Branch free kick but Perrow’s attempt was cleared, while skipper George Horan headed a long ball into the box wide for the visitors on eight minutes.

The game continued at an even pace with Christian Smith firing high over the bar for Chester while the Scholars were working hard in midfield. Horan departed on 36 minutes after picking up an injury in a clash with home keeper Ryan Price, while a cross from Stefan Cox flew straight to the keeper four minutes later.

The tight midfield play meant the hosts were struggling to find chances while Jimmy Turner and new signing Scott Lycett were working to block every effort from the league leaders, the half ending goalless in a close encounter.

Ryan Price makes a good save. Pic: Pamela Mullins

Price punched away a corner to begin the second half, but three minutes later the Scholars defence were caught out down the right and Antoni Sarcevic broke clear to slide the ball under Price’s body and open the scoring.

Skipper Richard Teesdale cleared a cross off the line on 59 minutes as Chester began to dominate proceedings with Price working overtime between the posts, blocking a shot from Jerome Wright on 66 minutes.

Kidderminster Harriers loanee Jack Cresswell made his Chasetown debut when he replaced Mark Hands midway through the half, while substitute Michael Powell had the ball in the net for Chester but the flag was up for offside. Gary Birch was introduced to the Scholars attack for the final 15 minutes just before Chester were awarded a penalty after a foul by Chris Slater but Price dived low to his right to cling onto Matty McGinn’s spot-kick.

With six minutes to go Chasetown equalised against all the odds when a trademark Mark Branch free kick found Perrow who just got his head to the ball to glance past keeper Adam Judge. Wright looked certain to have restored Chester’s lead when he burst down the left and fired past Price with three minutes to go but the flag was up for offside, while there was frustration for the Scholars in the final minute as Perrow’s last-ditch effort was disallowed for a foul and the spoils were shared.

Chasetown now prepare to visit Stocksbridge Park Steels next Saturday before travelling to Ashton United on February 29.

Chasetown: Price, Lycett, M Branch, Slater, Turner, Teesdale (c), Hands, Stride, Quinn, Perrow, Downes. Subs: Birch (Lycett 76), Farmer, L Wright (Downes 82), Cresswell (Hands 64), Birt (GK).
Chester: Judge, Brownhill, McGinn, Horan (c), Taylor, Brown, J Wright, Smith, McNeil, Sarcevic, Cox. Subs: Powell (Horan 36), Booth (Cox 68), Howard, Simm (Sarcevic 73), Baynes.

Chasetown FC came from behind to earn a surprise 1-1 draw against league leaders Chester.

Photographer Pamela Mullins captured the match action on camera:

Chasetown FC will face a tough challenge as they return to action after a spate of postponements.

Table-topping Chester will be looking to build on their lead in the Evo-Stik Premier Division when they travel to the Scholars Ground tomorrow (February 18).

But Chris Brindley’s men will be keen to upset the odds and prevent themselves getting dragged back into the relegation battle. A repeat of their dogged performance in the reverse fixture earlier this season – where they were narrowly beaten 1-0 – will be firmly in the manager’s sights.

Chester will have a third consecutive win in their sights after seeing off Stafford Rangers last time out. However, they will be without goalkeeper John Danby, while Michael Wilde – who scored the winner when the two sides met in October – is also an injury doubt.

Kick-off at the Scholars Ground is at 3pm.

Burntwood RUFC will return to action after the enforced winter weather break with a home clash against Leek tomorrow (February 18).

Their fixture against Spartans, which was frozen off last time round, will now be played on February 25.

Also in action tomorrow will be the seconds with a visit to Wolverhampton, while the thirds host Warley 2nds.