A Drew Aiton brace secured the points for Chasetown Reserves on their visit to the impressive Farley Way Stadium in Leicestershire as hosts Quorn were found guilty on all counts of missed chances and poor finishing.
It was difficult from the outset for the young Scholars, with their average age of 19, against fellow title challengers who had set their hearts on taking the scalps from the league leaders.
The Scholars suffered a pre-match blow when keeper Mark Wiggins suffered a back seizure, leaving youth keeper Dominic Hill to deputise – and he found himself close to the action as the charged up hosts pressurised from kick-off.
The young stopper had a confidence boost on 14 minutes when he palmed Nick Goold’s blast onto the bar.
The solid Chasetown back line with a determined Matthew Wood operating in front of them continued to weather the storm while the Scholars patiently waited like a pack of wolves for their prey to tire and falter. This happened at the 34 minute mark when the Quorn offensive eased off and the visitors pounced.
David Leese was allowed to rush forward and his cross landed on the head of Jack Hulin who nodded downwards only for Dean Horewell to boot off the line. Quorn steamed out in mass intending to attack again, but they were caught out by Matthew Wood as he intercepted the clearance and sent a pin point pass to Drew Aiton on the left. Aiton easily skipped past the only remaining defender in sight and fired Chasetown ahead.
If this wasn’t a lesson for Quorn in taking your chances it certainly was two minutes later when the visitors broke forward again. Jonathan Gould was jostled in the area and referee Thomas Morley pointed to the spot. Aiton calmly converted the penalty and Chasetown, having defended like Trojans suddenly had a two-goal cushion.
Two minutes before the interval the hosts deservedly pulled a goal back when a Nick Goold curling free kick was headed home by Dean Clouth.
Quorn began the second half with the majority of possession but like in the first half lacked the clinical edge to carve out a clear chance in front of goal.
Andy Penny’s side remained tight and were rewarded with the timely defensive skills of Jamie Aiton as he got the better of Quorn’s Alex Honour in front of goal. Courtney Sowe then charged down a Goold cross and Hill had to be alert to stop a close range header from Luke Hammond.
Chasetown’s belief in breaking forward never subsided and they gave the hosts a torrid time from counter attacks. Gould met Chad Degville-Cross’s centre but his header trickled agonisingly wide of the right hand corner of Luke Barrett’s net.
During another counter-offensive Drew Aiton came close to completing his hat-trick with a drive from 15 yards.
As time ticked away Quorn upped the ante in search of the equaliser. Desperate shots started flying in from all angles as things got busier for Hill and both Degville-Cross and Gould cleared off the line.
On 86 minutes Chasetown were caught on the hop for the first time but Quorn were also guilty after failing to connect when Chris Baker whipped in a dangerous cross which went into touch.
Scholars manager Penny brought himself into action when Jamie Aiton had to withdraw after receiving a kick on the ankle.
Chasetown broke away once more and Tom Brown provided Drew Aiton with an opportunity to cement the victory. Instead of sealing his hat- trick, Aiton unselfishly squared to his manger who was belting into the box. But with the goal at his mercy, Penny failed to make a clean connection.
Chasetown: Hill, Degville-Cross, Deakin (Leese), J Aiton (Penny), Hulin (Capt), Sowe, Brown, Darby (S Birt), D Aiton, Gould, Wood.
