Paul Sullivan smashed a sensational hat-trick to earn Chasetown an emphatic win over Loughborough Dynamo.
It was a welcome boost for Sullivan – who’s been in and out the side throughout the season due to injury – with his only previous Scholars goal coming back in September.
Chasetown had an early scare when Ryan Price was forced into a diving stop from Matt Langham inside the first five minutes.
But Sullivan put the Scholars in front when his effort went in off the post after 17 minutes.
Chasetown’s leading scorer Nick Wellecomme was searching for his first goal since the end of January and looked likely to end that mini-drought before half-time. Sullivan was clear through on goal and unselfishly squared the ball to Wellecomme ten yards out, only for the striker to miskick.
Manager Craig Harris had made two changes coming into this game and with four fixtures in eight days coming up, he decided to rest Theo Robinson for the second half giving another chance to Jonathan Gould.
The home side doubled their lead five minutes after the break. Following a corner, Danny Bragoli headed the ball back across the area and Sullivan volleyed left-footed beyond Pearson into the roof of the net. Chasetown were dominant and had the Leicestershire side pinned in their own half.
Gould, who scored a fine goal three weeks ago almost added another stunning strike to his collection, going on a mazy run past the Dynamo defence and curling a shot inches wide of the upright.
Another former Academy player Lee Butler was next to test Pearson in a one-sided second half with a curling free kick which the keeper had to cling on to with three blue shirts ready to pounce on the rebound.
Sullivan completed his first Chasetown hat-trick 12 minutes from time. Receiving the ball down the inside-left channel, he drilled a powerful shot inside the far corner of the net.
Gary Hay replaced the hat-trick hero for the final nine minutes giving Sullivan his moment of glory, receiving a standing ovation from The Scholars faithful.
Chasetown: Price, Farmer, Jackson, Slater, Bate, Tesfa Robinson, Butler, Bragoli, Wellecomme, Sullivan (Hay, 81 mins), Theo Robinson (Gould, HT). Subs not used: Branch, Westwood, Teesdale.
Loughborough Dynamo: Pearson, Dale-Brown, Young, Jarvis, Betts, Richards, Henton, Langham (Davidson, 77 mins), Brennon (Norris, 68 mins), Lester. Subs not used: Liversedge, Whitman, Mann-Kler.
Click below to see more of Dave Birt’s pictures from the game:
