Chelmsley Town V Gornal Athletic (Division One)

​Chelmsley Town were looking to bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Ingles with a statement result against Gornal Athletic at Pack Meadow. The hosts had an encouraging home record with three wins and two draws from seven matches in division one. They notably drew against high flying Knowle in the opening week of the season and can get results against sides near the top of the table.   

There also through to the first round of the FA Vase and have an eye-catching home match against Combined Counties side Kidlington next Saturday.  

It’s been an encouraging start to the season for Chelmsley who were comfortably in midtable in division one. They also notably beat step five side Pershore Town in the FA Vase last month to reach the first-round proper for the first time since 2016.  

Gornal were looking to continue their impressive form over the last few weeks. The Peacocks had won five consecutive matches in all competitions under manager Stuart How and were coming off an impressive 5-0 home win over Stapenhill at the weekend.  

The visitors are also through to the first-round proper of the FA vase and will play step five side Coton Green at Garden Walk Stadium next Saturday.  They also notably beat Lye Town last week in the MFL League Cup and will play AFC Bridgnorth (Away) in the second round later in the month.

Their away form has been brilliant in division one so far with five consecutive wins away from home and four clean sheets. They have been tough to break down with just 12 goals conceded coming into yesterday’s match. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Chelmsley Town included Connor Hill starting in goal and Luke Keen captaining the side up front. The formation looked like a 4-5-1 with Luke Keen playing as the number nine and being supported by Harry Jackson and Dylan Pahile on the wings.

There were three changes from their match against Ingles at the weekend with Ethan Richardson coming into the team and playing in attacking midfield.

The starting line up for Gornal Athletic included Reece Francis starting in goal and captaining the side. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Traevay Wright playing up front and being supported by Callum Powell and Brad Ward on the wings.

There were five changes from their match against Stapenhill at the weekend with Reagan Wardle coming into the team and playing in the number ten role. 

​First Half

Chelmsley got off to a positive start and took the lead in the opening few minutes.

Dylan Pahile made a brilliant run down the left-hand side before beating a few players and finding Luke Keen in the box who finished into the bottom left corner to make it 1-0 on 2 minutes.

The visitors responded well to the early setback and created a good chance when Mitch Botfield was free at the back post before having a shot hit the crossbar.  

Chelmsley were clinical up front in the opening fifteen minutes and scored again to make it 2-0 on 13 minutes. Dylan Pahile found some space in the box before producing a header into the bottom right corner to stun the visitors early on.

​Gornal gradually grew into the match as it went on and started to build some momentum at 2-0 down. Mitch Botfield was starting off attacks from holding midfield and looked a threat throughout the first half. Ben Podmore also impressed at centre back and did well to read the danger for the visitors.

Chelmsley still offered a threat on the counter attack though with Luke Keen making some promising runs into the final third and holding up the ball well.

The hosts were working hard off the ball to limit the clear-cut chances for Gornal with the holding midfield of Harry Jennings and Josh Wykes helping to protect the back four.

Sam Aldhouse also impressed at centre back and did a good job of clearing the danger for Chelmsley.

The visitors had the momentum in the final fifteen minutes of the first half and made it count in the 40th minute. A well delivered corner found Jack Till at the front post who headed into the top right corner to pull a goal back before half time.     

​Second Half

Gornal found an equaliser to make it 2-2 in the early stages of the second half. Callum Powell cut inside from the right before having a shot saved by Connor Hill. Traevay Wright was alert in the box and followed up on the rebound to finish into the top left corner on 51 minutes.

The second half was a lot cagier than the first with the chances in front of goal more limited.

Chelmsley continued to work hard off the ball and limited the Peacocks to a couple of chances up front. Cheirry Barry had a good game at left-back and was constantly blocking crosses into the box and clearing the danger.

Gornal substitute Jake Short made a good run into the box from a corner before having a header go wide of the right-hand post on 68 minutes.

Jack Till impressed for the visitors throughout the second half and made some good runs down the left-hand side. The wing-back found some space in the box before having a shot well saved by Connor Hill for a corner on 82 minutes.

The resulting corner was initially cleared before Brad Ward reacted quickest to the second ball before being fouled in the box for a late penalty.

Substitute Taylor Homer stepped up and produced a composed spot kick into the bottom left corner for 3-2 on 84 minutes.  

The visitors used their know how and experience to see the game out late on for a huge win that sees them go top of division one by a point.

The result continues their impressive away form with six wins from six matches in the league.    

Upcoming fixtures

Chelmsley have a busy run of fixtures over the next few weeks and will be looking to bounce back against Kirby Muxloe (Away) on Saturday.

They then have a huge home match against Kidlington in the FA Vase next Saturday before playing Birmingham OJM (Away) in the Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup on Tuesday 21st October.

They return to league action with a home match against play off challengers Birstall United on Saturday 25th October before playing Nuneaton Griff at home in the second round of the MFL League Cup on Monday 27th October.  

Gornal will be looking to continue their momentum against AFC Bridgnorth (Away) on Saturday.

They then play Coton Green at home in the first-round proper of the FA Vase next Saturday before playing FC Stratford (Home) in the Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup on Tuesday 21st October.

The Peacocks return to league action against Lutterworth Athletic at home on Saturday 25th October before travelling to AFC Bridgnorth in the second round of the MFL League Cup on Tuesday 28th October.     

FT score: Chelmsley Town 2-3 Gornal Athletic

Man of the match: Ben Podmore (Gornal Athletic)

Attendance: 119

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League