Dean Perrow completes his hat-trick for Chasetown FC. Pic: Dave Birt
Dean Perrow completes his hat-trick for Chasetown FC. Pic: Dave Birt

A hat-trick in the first half-hour for Dean Perrow set Chasetown FC on their way to a dominant 5-0 victory over Bradford Park Avenue FC.

Having been beaten 2-1 by the Avenue on the opening day of the season, this was ample revenge for the Scholars as they kept their opponents to a minimum of chances with Ben Jevons and Gary Birch following up Perrow’s early onslaught.

A fast-paced start saw Mark Branch set up Perrow in the second minute but the striker’s header went wide, while Jevons combined with Perrow to force Jordon Yorath into a diving save.

In the eighth minute the Scholars were awarded a penalty for a push in the box and Perrow had little trouble in converting, firing the ball to Yorath’s right into the corner to put the hosts ahead.

Jon Richardson had returned to the Scholars line-up in place of the injured Matty Cohen and he was working hard in defence alongside John Branch.  This ensured Bradford’s first chance would not come until the 15th minute, when Tom Claisse’s 20-yard effort went wide.

Simon Baldry then shaved the top of Ryan Price’s crossbar with a header on 23 minutes, but Perrow made it two for the Scholars five minutes later.  Ramone Stephens burst through the defence and met the striker on the right, and he fired a cracking shot too high for Yorath and into the far corner to complete his double.

Two minutes later and Perrow had completed his seventh Scholars hat-trick, firing a well-placed cross from John Branch home for his 50th League goal for the club, and Chasetown continued to dominate the remainder of the half, Mark Branch rising to head out Tom Greaves’s cross just before the break.

Dean Perrow celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot in Chasetown's 5-0 win against Bradford Park Avenue
Dean Perrow celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot in Chasetown's 5-0 win against Bradford Park Avenue. Pic: Dave Birt

The Scholars picked up exactly where they had left off in the second half, Stephens’ cross hoofed out for a corner in the 47th minute and the resultant kick was headed in at the far post by Jevons for Chasetown’s fourth.

Danny Smith replaced hat-trick hero Perrow just past the hour and was straight into the action, cutting inside Spencer Harris and rifling in a superb shot which was just tipped round the woodwork by Yorath.

Further back in the Scholars formation, Richardson and John Branch were still working hard and showing composure to keep Bradford’s chances in single figures.

Chasetown striker Gary Birch celebrates his goal. Pic: Dave Birt
Chasetown striker Gary Birch celebrates his goal. Pic: Dave Birt

New signing Danny Edwards could have made it five on his debut but his diving header went inches wide, but on 75 minutes Birch did make it five as he picked up a mis-hit shot from skipper Richard Teesdale in the six-yard box and blasted the ball beyond Yorath.

With the large crowd in jubilant mood Jevons headed out a free kick and a corner in the closing minutes, while Smith could have made it six as he beat the offside trap, but fired his shot wide when level with Yorath.

Avenue had one final chance courtesy of Greaves, but Price dived low to his left to push the ball round the post for a corner and the Scholars rout was complete.

With Matlock Town defeating Carlton Town 1-0 in their FA Cup tie, Chasetown will visit the former on Tuesday (September 28), kick-off 7.45pm, before hosting Ossett Town next Saturday at 3pm.

Chasetown: Price, J Branch, M Branch, Richardson, Bridgewater, Teesdale (c), Stephens, Egan, Birch, Perrow, Jevons.  Subs: Ryan, D Smith (Perrow 61), Edwards (Stephens 68), Swann-Horler (Egan 74), Peel.
Bradford: Yorath, Hay, Drury (c), Briggs, Harris, Chapman, Baldry, Claisse, Greaves, Facey, Burton.  Subs: Heagney (Facey 61), Clayton (Claisse 51), Nightingale, Tonks, Gibson (Burton 48).