League leaders Coalville Town were good value for their 4-1 win at Chasetown – a result that extends their lead at the top to four points.

Danny Smith feels the force of a challenge from the Coalville keeper. Pic: Dave Birt
Danny Smith feels the force of a challenge from the Coalville keeper. Pic: Dave Birt

The visitors took an early lead with less than three minutes on the clock. A cross from the left was steered home neatly by Lewis Dodd with a right-foot side-footed volley which left Ryan Price with no chance in the Chasetown goal.

Three minutes later, the Leicestershire side should’ve been 2-0 ahead when Jerome Murdock broke clear from midfield, after a Chasetown attack had broken down, and his lobbed effort went narrowly over the bar with just Price to beat.

The visitors doubled their advantage in the 23rd minute when a clearance by Jack Farmer put Greg Downes under pressure but he only succeeded in tripping a Coalville midfielder after he lost control of the ball. Referee Mr Amplet had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Coalville skipper Stuart Cameron despatched the penalty low to Price’s left.

The Scholars were by no means out of the game, but were twice thwarted by some alert goalkeeping from Sean Bowles who was also confidently collecting and punching crosses sent towards him.

Chasetown were briefly back in the game ten minutes later. This time, Ant Maguire’s cross from the left was misjudged by Coalville keeper Bowles and Nick Wellecomme had a straightforward header to net his 5th goal of the season.

The lifeline for Craig Harris’ men lasted just a further minute. The deficit was two goals again as Chasetown’s Farmer conceded a second penalty kick and this time Callum Woodward stepped up converting low to Price’s right.

Chris Slater closes down his man. Pic: Dave Birt
Chris Slater closes down his man. Pic: Dave Birt

In an open first half, Chasetown felt they were probably still in this game, particularly looking useful going forward with league debutant Jono Gould linking up a few times with Danny Smith with neat passing in and round the penalty area.

The killer blow came just four minutes into the second period. The league leaders increased their advantage four minutes into the second half with a deflected effort from Anthony Carney after Ryan Robbins pass.

Although defensive lapses has cost Chasetown, their ability to try and get something from the game never wavered and Richard Teesdale saw a header saved after a Mark Branch cross.

With five minutes remaining, Jack Farmer’s header was palmed onto the crossbar by Bowles, following a Mark Branch corner.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, Branch, Slater, Downes, Teesdale, Maguire (Clarke-O’Connell, 75mins), Saunders (Westwood, 59 mins), Wellecomme (Hay, 75 mins), Smith, Gould. Subs not used: Richardson, Sullivan.
Coalville Town: Bowles, Jenno, Cameron, Mivold, Hill, Powell, Woodward, Dodd (Blankley, 62 mins), Carney, Murdock (Astley, 83 mins), Robbins (Leigh, 67 mins). Subs not used: Everitt, Gibson.