CHASETOWN suffered a disappointing start to the New Year as they went down 3-0 at home in a local derby against Hednesford Town.
An own goal in the first half and strikes from Manny Duku and Daniel Trickett-Smith after the break were enough to earn the points for the Pitmen.
The Scholars began brightly with George Cater sending an early effort just over the bar.
But Hednesford forced home keeper Curtis Pond into action with a brilliant save to deny Trickett-Smith.
Chasetown then fell behind when Mitch Clarke’s unfortunate own goal broke the deadlock.
The Scholars looked to hit back but Butlin’s header drifted just wide.
The second half saw Dominic McHale fire narrowly off target for Hednesford before his side eventually found the net when Duku’s well-placed header beat Pond.
It was then 3-0 when Trickett-Smith added to the tally for the visitors.
Chasetown tried to get a foothold in the game with Tom Thorley’s header going close and Joe Dunne also sending an attempt wide of the target.
The Pitmen thought they’d added a fourth only for the assistant referee’s offside flag to come to the rescue for the home side late on.
