Worksop Chase a double

Their trip to the Midlands yielded a 2-1 victory, making it two wins from two against the Scholars this season.

In near perfect weather for football Tigers put early pressure on the struggling Staffordshir side, and a pair of early free-kicks were cleared by the home defence before Chase skipper Courtney Pitt’s first chance was blocked for a corner on 12 minutes.

Danny Smith outpaced the Tigers defence two minutes later but his shot flew just outside the post, and it was Tigers who would take the lead on 31 minutes.

Ashley Burbeary beat Charlie Raglan to a header from the halfway line, and ran on to slot past Ryan Price – playing with an injured finger – in the Chasetown goal from the edge of the box.

On the stroke of half-time Tigers doubled their lead when skipper Mark Hudson sent a free-kick in from the left and Luke Shiels headed home from the edge of the area.

Worksop worked to protect their lead in the second half and Massiah McDonald went close but saw his chance cleared for a corner by Mark Branch.

On 58 minutes appeals from the Scholars for a penalty for handball were turned down and a corner was awarded instead, the kick being cleared and as Worksop countered Lee Beeson’s follow-up flew wide.

Chasetown did show several signs of a fightback and Dean Perrow twice broke clear but was halted by the offside flag, while Anthony Maguire and Jordan Archer set up Gary Birch but his cross could not quite reach Dean Perrow.

Four minutes from time Pitt sent a ball over the top and Maguire was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net for his maiden Scholars goal, on his debut, but it proved to be too little too late and Tigers took the points.

Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Raglan, Turner, Hands, Maguire, Stride, Smith, Perrow, Pitt (c). Subs: Teesdale, Birch (Hands 71), Archer (Smith 60), Lycett, Kisiel.

Worksop: Worsnop 6, Young 7 (Whiteley 94), Warlow 6, Sharry 6, Shiels 8, Wood 7, Beeson 6, Hudson 7 (Melton 80), BURBEARY 8, Jackson 6 (King 64), McDonald 6. Subs: Nightingale, Colton.

Goals: Maguire 86; Burbeary 31, Shields 45.

Referee: Mr D Plowright.

Attendance: 229.