The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Chasetown have furthered bolstered their midfield with the signing of David Bridgewater from local rivals Hednesford Town.

The 30-year old central midfielder has previously appeared for Redditch United where he gained experience in the Blue Square South league, so he will be well-versed in action at this level. Bridgewater should go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s clash with Kendal Town at the Scholars Ground.

The signing will be welcomed by the management as skipper Richard Teesdale is rated as “50-50” after picking up a knock during the Bank Holiday Monday win at North Ferriby United, while Dean Perrow and Chris Slater will be absent.

Kick-off on National Non-League day is at 3pm.

The “Scholars” have begun to gather momentum in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, kick-started by a superb double success over the Bank Holiday weekend.

After a 1-0 home defeat to Marine during the week with striker Dean Perrow sent off in the final minute, the home clash with pre-season league title favourites FC Halifax Town looked a daunting prospect. The fears of some fans appeared to be realised when Nathan Taylor put the visitors ahead on 20 minutes, but the Shaymen reckoned without the secret weapons on Chasetown’s bench. Gary Birch replaced Gary Hay and netted the equaliser ten minutes later, while six minutes from time Ben Jevons scored the winning goal to complete a remarkable turnaround for the Scholars en route to their maiden win of the season.

Two days later, Bank Holiday Monday saw the side make the trip north-east to North Ferriby United, a side which Chasetown had previously conquered in the FA Trophy. The game was fairly even until keeper Ryan Price saved a penalty from Gary Bradshaw, which seemed to spur the Scholars into top gear. Ten minutes later Grant Ryan scored the only goal of the game to seal the second win of the weekend for the Scholars and put them ninth in the table.

Chasetown seem to meet Kidsgrove Athletic in one Cup competition or another every single season, and this year is no different. The Stoke-based side triumphed 4-0 over Biddulph Victoria in their E-on FA Cup Preliminary round tie to set up a home clash with the Scholars in the First Qualifying Round, which will take place at Hollinwood Close on Saturday September 11th.

The day after this encounter, the Scholars Ground hosts a family fun day featuring a match between a Chasetown XI and an Aston Villa All Stars side. The day is organised in conjunction with main club sponsors Crown Cutting Services, and all proceeds will go to Acorn Children’s Hospice.

Coming up before then, however, the supporter’s club host another of their popular quiz evenings at the Scholars Ground tonight (September 3rd) at 7.30pm, with admission just £2, and tomorrow the Scholars take on Kendal Town on National Non-League Football Day, the initiative organised by Harrow Borough fan James Doe. With England taking on Bulgaria on Friday evening and the Premiership and Championship clubs taking a Saturday off as a result, Doe’s idea was to encourage fans of the big clubs to head down to their local ground and experience top class football and a friendly atmosphere for a fraction of the usual cost.

The reserves also kicked off their season in fine style last weekend with a 4-0 win over Barwell, putting them top of the Midland Combination Reserve Division after the opening day, while the Ladies team get their season under way this Sunday in the West Midland Regional Women’s League, with Sinead Treanor looking to better her record haul of 72 goals last season in the Staffordshire County Women’s League.

Chasetown’s youth side have also gone top of the Midland Floodlit Youth League with a 5-0 success over Dosthill Colts last night, and they now get ready for FA Youth Cup action at Stourbridge on Monday night (7.45pm kick-off).