WITTON Albion put four goals past Chasetown in a disappointing afternoon at The Scholars Ground.
The visitors were ahead after just 17 seconds when skipper Joe Duckworth found the net.
Max Chimenes responded for the hosts when he struck a leveller in the 13th minute.
That would be as good as it got in the first half though as Witton’s Freddy Garbutt bagged a brace before the break.
The Scholars came out positively in the second half and reduced the arrears when youngster Zack Findlay displayed some brilliant skill before delivering a ball into the box for Tom Thorley to finish.
Countless chances to level the scores followed as the hosts enjoyed a majority of the possession.
Chasetown keeper Curtis Pond went up for a corner in the final minutes of the game as his side desperately looked for the equaliser, but when the ball got cleared, Witton’s Christy Edwards just had to hit the target at an empty net to make the scoreline 4-2.
Scholars manager Jamie Hawkins admitted it had been a “frustrating” afternoon for his side.
“We knew that Witton would be direct and they work off of their big man – then 17 seconds into the game there’s a first ball flick on, the second ball contact is not good enough and the third ball is the finish for the goal. It’s criminal and it just doesn’t set a good tone for the rest of the half.
“I can’t repeat what was said at half-time. It’s the first time since I’ve been in the role that it has had to be stern, but they were well aware that the performance was way below the standard expected.
“You can’t forget the basics of the game which is working hard, competing, going toe-to-toe with your opposite man, matching the effort, desire and heart which was hugely lacking in the first half.
“The second half, I thought we were really good. But ultimately it’s a lack of quality.
“We’re missing the target, we’re making the wrong decisions, the final pass is bad so it’s frustrating. We have to find a way to be more ruthless.”
Despite his disappointment at the result, Hawkins is keen for his side to bounce back.
“The lads are hurting – and quite rightly so, as they’re honest and know there’ll be days when we don’t play well. There’ll be periods when we don’t play well, but we won’t go over the top. We won’t forget all the good work we’ve done in the past.
“This league and football doesn’t allow you to be arrogant. We’ll have to brush this one under the carpet and we learn from it.
“We’ll look back at it and take what we need to take from it, and use it to help prepare for future games.”
