Manager Charlie Blakemore introduced Phil Harris and Jermaine Gordon for their debuts, with both newcomers playing impressive parts in a hungry looking Chasetown outfit writes Russell Brown.

After failing to score in their previous four games, the Scholars wasted no time in rectifying that statistic by opening the scoring in the 3rd minute. After getting out of the blocks quickly, the home side forced a corner on the left flank and Ben Steane’s near post delivery was met by Andy Penny who celebrated his appointment as club captain by directing a powerful header past Matt Findley for the perfect start.

Dean Craven had a good opportunity to double their lead after Nick Hawkins had played the attacking wing back in on goal. Findley did well to block the initial effort and Gordon, playing against his old club, should have punished his former colleagues, but the big striker snatched at the loose ball to fire high over the target.

Harris was tormenting the United defence on the right wing and his determination to win the ball twice earned Chasetown corners as the former Malvern youngster won over the Chasetown followers.

There was a moment of concern as a lack of communication between Penny and Lee Evans resulted in a needless corner being conceded, but United failed to gain any advantage from the error.

The pressure was still firmly on the visitors and Findley was again in action to grab another effort from Penny, then get his angles right to gather in a long range shot from the returning Dean Perrow. But the attacking stance finally won its reward when Chasetown doubled their lead in the 36th minute.

Hawkins ripped apart the Woodford defence with a well weighted ball through to Steane. The midfielder took the pass in his stride and waited for the advancing Findley to commit before prodding the ball past the keeper to score his first goal of the season.

Just before the interval Woodford gain a free kick in a dangerous position after Penny had been penalised for pulling back Tom Lorraine, but Luke Cole summed up the visitors woeful contribution in the attacking stakes as his set piece was fire high and wide over Evans’ goal.

The home side continued to create chances and after Gordon had pulled the ball back from Perrow who saw his shot block, Dave Woodvine was following up with a well struck shot that the Woodford keeper saved well.

Perrow turned provider as he set up Craven to shoot narrowly over the bar, then the Scholars top scorer placed Gordon through only for the striker’s first touch to let him down.

Substitute Mark Branch did well to beat Kai Ridley to get into the area and find Perrow, but once again the accuracy in front of goal was missing as he fired just wide of the far post. Hawkins then blazed over after Perrow’s fantastic run to the goal line had seen the striker laid the ball back perfectly for the incoming midfielder.

The action continued right to the end as Evans ensured a clean sheet for the home side, somehow getting across to turn away a goal bound effort from Tom Founten. Whilst Steane was inches away from collecting his second of the game with a last minute dipping effort that skimmed the cross bar.

Chasetown: Evans, Harris, Craven (M Branch), Spittle (Perry), Penny, Williams, Steane, Woodvine, Gordon, Perrow (Lamey), Hawkins

Other Subs: J Branch, Smith (not used)