Chasetown survived the concession of an early goal to come back in fine style to beat second placed Stamford.
The visitors were ahead inside two minutes when a Ricky Miller effort was spilled by Ryan Price.
Scholars’ fans feared the worst and the visitors continued to dominate the early exchanges and could easily have gone two or three ahead in the early exchanges of the game.
Gradually Chasetown got back into the game and then took complete control. In the 14th minute, Theo Robinson tried his luck from long range but Matt Finlay produced a fine save to push the ball wide for a corner. Then, skipper Dave Bate saw his shot from outside the area deflected for a corner as The Scholars took charge.
In a purple patch of dominance, the hosts perhaps should easily have levelled in the 18th minute. Robinson battled well to keep possession of the ball which ran free to Nick Wellecomme, who leant back a bit too much and the ball flashed narrowly over the crossbar.
It was no surprise when Chasetown did equalise in the 30th minute and it was no surprise who was involved. Robinson went on a mazy run towards the penalty area only to be tugged back with no advantage gained. Gavin Saunders floated in an inch perfect free kick and Robinson himself diverted a header home from inside the six yard box.
Price made a great save in the final minute of the half, palming over from Gary King, but that was the only effort the visitors offered since the opening few minutes.
The Scholars ended the first half on top and started the second in the same manner. Three minutes after the break, Gary Hay let fly from 25 yards leaving Finley clutching at thin air as the ball whizzed past him.
Chasetown were now well in the ascendancy and Wellecomme was a whisker wide from making it 3-1 following a low cross from Robinson.
If he hadn’t already won man of the match for his first half display, Robinson added his second and Chasetown’s third with another header from a Mark Branch corner on the hour.
In truth, a four or five goal winning margin would not have flattered the hosts in the end. Wellecomme almost turned the ball home from a tight angle after Hay’s attempt was blocked and then he went even closer when Saunders laid in the pass and The Scholars’ leading scorer beat the keeper but saw right back Robbie Maddox clear off the line.
Substitute Paul Sullivan hit the post for Chasetown four minutes from time with the visitors well and truly beaten.
Chasetown: Price, Downes, Branch, Farmer, Tesfa Robinson, Bate, Westwood, Saunders (Ashton, 84 mins), Wellecomme, Hay (Sullivan, 69 mins), Theo Robinson. Subs not used: Jackson, Teesdale, Smith.
Stamford: Finlay, Maddox, Mayo (Batchelor, 76 mins), Jacklin, Jones, Brooks (Gibson, 55 mins), Staff (Hamilton, 67 mins), Ozmen, King, Miller, Hall. Subs not used: Cotton, Swales.
Click below to see more of Dave Birt’s pictures from the game:
