Chasetown U23s V Solihull Academy (MFL challenge trophy, semi final)

​Chasetown were looking to cap off an impressive season in the MFL development division with a piece of silverware. The scholars came close to lifting the challenge trophy last season before falling short to Sutton United Reserves on penalties. 

The Staffordshire side have been consistent in the league with only two losses from sixteen matches to finish in 2nd behind division champions Tamworth Academy U23s. Their home form has been impressive with only nine goals conceded and just one loss from eight league matches.

Solihull Academy have been a good addition to the division since joining last summer. The visitors have made a notable impact at this level and have managed to get some eye-catching results this season. This includes doing the league double over Chasetown and beating Tamworth in the challenge trophy 2-1 a few weeks back. 

The visitors were looking to cause an upset yesterday to reach the final of the challenge trophy.

The winner will play Harborough Town U23s who beat Hednesford Town development on Friday to reach the final which is due to be played at Bedworth United on the 24th of May with a 2pm KO.

​Starting line ups

Chasetown’s starting line-up included Harley Gray starting in goal and Oscar Wyton captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Remmiko Harper playing up front and being supported by Kaireice Cunningham and Ahmed Ayaan on the wings.

There were four changes from their match against Paget Rangers development last weekend with Jovan Shocker coming into the team and playing at right back.

The starting line-up for Solihull included Cian Quinn starting in goal and Luke Cowley captaining the team at centre back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Daniel Olaloko playing up front and being supported by Arnaldo Primera Basilo and Mason Chisholm on the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Tamworth a fortnight ago with Mac McNulty-Hartnett coming into the team and playing in holding midfield alongside Alex Murray. 

​First Half

The match got off to a lively start with both sides having good chances to take an early lead.

Ahmed Ayaan found some space in the box before dragging a shot wide of the left-hand post for Chasetown inside the opening five minutes.

Solihull came close to making it 1-0 at the other end when Mac McNulty-Hartnett got a shot off that hit the crossbar on 10 minutes. 

The visitors were positive on the ball and looking to make things happen throughout the first half. Mason Chisholm was taking players on down the right-hand side and looked a threat for Solihull. He raced through on goal before having his shot well saved by Harley Gray in the Chasetown goal.

​The game was open for a semi-final with both sides going for it. Chasetown created a good chance when Remmiko Harper made a brilliant run into the box before having a shot well blocked for a corner after 13 minutes.

Chasetown managed to find the breakthrough on 19 minutes when Remmiko Harper found some space in the final third before playing a well weighted ball to Kaireice Cunningham. He had just Cian Quinn to beat and produced a classy finish into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0. 

Solihull showed character and kept going at 1-0 down in search of a way back into the match. Emmanuel Olaloko impressed from attacking midfield and was driving the visitors on in search of an equaliser. He helped link up the play and create space for other players from the number ten role. 

A defensive mix up at the back allowed Daniel Olaloko through on goal who anticipated the mistake well. He ran into the box before having his shot saved by Harley Gray to keep it at 1-0 after 22 minutes.

The visitors made the most of their momentum in the middle of the first half and scored thanks to a direct corner that went into the top right corner. It caught Chasetown off guard and offered Solihull a way back into the match.

Solihull were committing players forward and taking the game to the scholars in the first half. Chasetown were standing up to the pressure well thanks to the likes of Tyler Clarke. He read the danger well at centre back and managed to get some crucial blocks in when it mattered.

Solihull took the lead near the end of the first half thanks to a quality finish from Emmanuel Olaloko into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1 on 39 minutes.

Chasetown’s best chance of an equaliser came when Daniel Clarkson struck a curling shot that was saved by Cian Quinn to keep it at 2-1 going into half time.

Second Half

Chasetown stepped it up in the second half and were looking to cause Solihull problems.

The scholars looked a bit more organised off the ball and were taking players on a bit more than the first half.

The scholars were awarded a penalty when Fabian Davis handballed in the box for a spot kick on 54 minutes. Kaireice Cunningham stepped up and took a quality spot kick into the top right corner to make it 2-2.

The Staffordshire side had the momentum and made the most of it to take a crucial lead a few minutes later. Kaireice Cunningham beat a few players down the right before sending a dangerous low ball into the box that was diverted into the net by Luke Cowley for an own goal.

It was unfortunate from a Solihull perspective who competed well with Chasetown up to that point. It came down to the fine margins in an even match. A few costly mistakes at the back resulted in the visitors chasing the game at 3-2 down.

Outside of the unlucky own goal, Luke Cowley impressed at centre back and lead by example for Solihull across the ninety minutes.

Chasetown had the chance to seal the game on 65 minutes when Remmiko Harper made another well-timed run into the box before sending a shot wide of the top right corner.

Solihull kept going in search of an equaliser and created some good chances in the final twenty minutes. Daniel Olakolo broke free at the back post before having a shot instinctively tipped round the post by Harley Gray. The Chasetown keeper stepped up yesterday and made some crucial saves for the scholars.         

The visitor’s best chance came when Emmanuel Olaloko sent a rebounded shot over the bar on 80 minutes.

Chasetown managed to see the game out and put in a professional performance to seal the match.

Jovan Shocker and Alfie Bunch did a good job of helping the scholars defensively in the second half. Both players made it harder for Solihull to play through them and managed to break up promising attacks to give Chasetown a control of the game late on.

The scholars sealed their place in the final in stoppage time when substitute Joe Worley produced a composed finish into the bottom right corner for 4-2.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with Chasetown reaching their second consecutive challenge trophy final.

Full Time

The scholars will play Harborough Town at the Oval in late May. It promises to be an entertaining match with both sides finishing in the top three of the development division.

A lot of players stepped up for Chasetown in the second half when it mattered to get over the line. Kaireice Cunningham was brilliant and made a difference out on the wing. He was willing to take players on and stretch the Solihull defence which went a long way in deciding the result yesterday.   

Solihull will be gutted and just fell short against a quality Chasetown side. The visitors did themselves proud and played to their strengths against the scholars yesterday. They went for it and committed players forward in search of the win. It was just a few mistakes that cost them in the second half.               

FT score: Chasetown U23s 4-2 Solihull Academy

Man of the match: Kaireice Cunningham (Chasetown U23s)

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League