In contrast manager Charlie Blakemore had the luxury of naming a full strength squad and included new signing Dave Woodvine on the bench writes Russell Brown.

Another healthy Scholars crowd of 509 braved the wintry weather and watched as a goal in each half saw off the struggling Forest of dean side to complete a league double over their visitors and move up two places in the league.

Chasetown made early use of their wide men and brothers John and Mark Brach tormented the Foresters defenders on both flanks. John’s contribution from the right saw him find Dean Perrow with a well flighted ball, but the Blues marksman’s’ stooping header lacked the power to beat Paul Tassell in the visitors goal.

Mark slipped inside his marker to find Perrow who held the ball up and find Nick Hawkins lurking on the edge of the area, but the midfielder’s goal bound shot unfortunately struck Kyle Perry and bounced clear.
Steve Cowe had Cinderford’s first shot of the game, and as it turned out, their last, as his dipping effort was collected beneath the bar by Lee Evans.

It was to prove a very quiet day for the Chasetown number one, who busied himself by taking the Scholars free kicks in his own half.
The home side suffered a blow when a nasty challenge from Cinderford captain Nick Griffith felled Craig Holland on the edge of the box. Not only did the Foresters skipper escape without a caution by Holland needed to leave the field after gamely trying to shake off the injury. Replacing the unfortunate midfielder was new signing Scott Clamp who was to put in an impressive performance.

Chasetown made the breakthrough in the 34th minute and it was a typical goal scoring finish from Perry who set up his seventh goal of the season with a crisp shot that gave Tassell no chance.

After the break it was damage limitation for the visitors as they lined up with a 5-4-1 formation. That did not stop Chasetown from attempting to push home their advantage and the lively Ben Steane came close from a ball from Perry.

The Scholars doubled their lead in the 67th minute and it was a real beauty from Nick Hawkins. There seemed little danger when the former Hucknall Town midfielder picked up the ball near the centre circle, but as he closed on the Cinderford goal he suddenly unleashed a superb drive from fully thirty yards that totally caught out the unsuspecting Tassell and left the Foresters keeper rooted to his line.

With the game won, Blakemore brought on Paul Spacey for John Branch and that gave Cinderford even more to worry about as the right wing back proceeded to torture the visitors defence with some probing runs and shots that came close to adding a third.

The Scholars did have the ball in the net once again but a flying header was ruled out by an eager assistant’s flag as another fluid move had Cinderford firmly on the back foot.

Chasetown: Evans, J Branch (Spacey), M Branch, Slater, Thomas, Williams, Steane, Hawkins, Perry, Perrow (Edwards), Holland (Clamp)

Other Subs: D Smith, Woodvine (not used)