Danny Edwards fires home the opening goal for Chasetown. Pic: Dave Birt
Danny Edwards fires home the opening goal for Chasetown. Pic: Dave Birt

A scintillating performance against Burscough FC saw Chasetown FC hit five for the second time in three weeks.

The scoreline belied the quality of the football on display, with both sides digging deep into their well of ability and producing a hugely entertaining game with plenty of chances, although the Scholars always looked the stronger side especially in the closing stages.

A lively end-to end start saw both sides working hard, Gary Hay finding the first clear chance for the Scholars on 12 minutes but keeper Sean Lake whipped the ball away before he could shoot.

Dave Bridgewater sent in a well-placed free kick in the 14th minute which Lake initially failed to control, but the keeper gathered at the second attempt before the closing Ben Jevons could strike.  Lake was on form seven minutes later with a super save to palm away Hay’s header following a fine cross from Grant Ryan.

Darren Byers somehow missed with a header from three yards for the Linnets, but it was the hosts who were enjoying the majority of chances.  Ryan broke clear on the half hour but as he fired his shot in the whistle went for a challenge on James McCulloch, but the Scholars finally took the lead on 37 minutes.

Some good play by Hay and Jevons on the right saw the ball played back to Danny Edwards and he blasted the ball low into the far corner, the ball flicking off Ryan on its way in but Edwards was credited with his first Chasetown goal.

Set-piece specialist Mark Branch could have made it two soon after but his free kick flew wide of the far post, and Dave Egan shot straight at Lake to conclude the half.

Four minutes into the second half and Chasetown’s lead was doubled when Hay and Ryan broke forward and the former flicked the ball around keeper Lake before calmly firing home.

Shaun Judge fired across the face of goal as the Linnets tried to fight back, but the home side looked ever stronger, Ryan and Bridgewater both going close to making it three on 58 minutes.

Gary Hay lobs the Burscough keeper to make it 3-0 to Chasetown. Pic: Dave Birt
Gary Hay lobs the Burscough keeper to make it 3-0 to Chasetown. Pic: Dave Birt

One minute later and Hay did make it three, showing great pace down the right before looping a right-footed shot over Lake and into the net.

Edwards was then the victim of a heavy challenge from Zak Riley that saw the Burscough midfielder booked, and in response Mark Branch sent in a perfect free kick allowing Jevons to head home Chasetown’s fourth.

Ben Jevons nods home Chasetown's fourth goal. Pic: Dave Birt
Ben Jevons nods home Chasetown's fourth goal. Pic: Dave Birt

The Linnets nearly pulled one back in the 70th minute but the defence were equal to skipper James Connolly’s charge, but the Scholars were right back on the attack with Egan firing and Edwards cross wide moments later.

To their credit Chasetown never lifted off the gas despite their lead, new signing Johaine Thompson displaying fine pace through the middle after replacing Jevons.  Egan saw chance after chance blocked by the Linnets defence, but in the 89th minute finally headed beyond Lake for the Scholars’ fifth.

Chasetown were scheduled to face Buxton at the Scholars Ground on Tuesday evening, but with the men from the Peak District having drawn their FA Cup tie with AFC Telford United 1-1, a replay is required and Buxton will no longer be able to visit the Scholars.  The next action for Chasetown will therefore be their visit to Sheffield FC in the FA Trophy next Saturday (October 16), 3pm kick-off.

Chasetown: Price, J Branch, M Branch, Cohen, Bridgewater, Teesdale (c), Stephens, Egan, Hay, Ryan, Jevons.  Subs: Birch, Saunders (Jevons 78), Edwards (Stephens 26), Farmer, Thompson (Ryan 70).
Burscough: Lake, Fields, Quirk, McCulloch, Connolly (c), Riley, Mackreth, Brookfield, Byers, Branch, Judge.  Subs: Wilson, McEvatt (Judge 69), Bayliss, Parry (Branch 60), Bowen (GK).