TWO TEAMS WHO HAVE enjoyed memorable FA Cup runs in recent years fought out a tepid goalless draw at the Owen Street Sports Ground in the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday. Coalville Town, from the Midland Alliance, reached the first round proper two years ago, while Chasetown, their Southern League Midland division opponents, bowed out to Oldham Athletic after a replay at the same stage last season.
The windy conditions made for a difficult afternoon for attacking football and when Coalville lost Dave Tonge, their captain and centre back, to a hamstring injury after 12 minutes, the youthful Leicestershire team appeared to have an uphill battle on their hands. Despite the setback, they remained steadfast in defence against the long-ball assault of Chasetown but failed to muster an attacking threat of their own.
These two teams will face each other again in the replay tomorrow evening with Chasetown firm favourites to earn a place in the first qualifying round on September 16.
Coalville Town (4-4-2): S Wilson — A Brown, D Tonge (sub: M Quibble, 12min; sub: L Kirkland, 65), I Gaunt, I Rushbury — J Knight, C Gray, C Attwood, A Cooper — D Russell, A Edkins. Substitutes not used: G Phiri, A Howarth. Booked: Gray
Chasetown (4-4-2): S Bryan — J Branch, J Newell, V Thomas, M Branch (sub: A Turner, 85) — B Steane (sub: L Parsons, 78), C Harris, R Huckfield, D Horler — D Egan, P McMahon (sub: D Smith, 69). Substitutes not used: M Bytheway, C Holland. Booked: Huckfield