Despite a good show from the Scholars in the first quarter of the game, the unbeaten Vics side proved too strong as they controlled proceedings later in the evening en route to a ninth fixture without defeat, any flashes of hope for the visitors in the closing stages proving a false dawn.

Chasetown had the first chance of a chilly evening when Ben Jevons cut in from the left in the second minute but Vics keeper Ben Hinchcliffe prevented him from shooting, while the hosts won a dangerous free kick on the right on eight minutes but Scholars skipper Richard Teesdale was able to block.

Dean Perrow looked very rapid up front for the visitors but the Vics defence stifled his early attacks and lively end-to-end play ensued as the Scholars sought to end Northwich’s eight-game unbeaten run. Having made a goal-scoring appearance for the reserves the previous weekend Danny Smith made his first team comeback when he replaced the struggling Ramone Stephens on 27 minutes.

One minute later and the hosts were in front when a powerful attack down the centre caught out the Scholars defence and Wayne Riley was able to slot home.

On the half hour their lead was doubled when Andy Westwood – making his first start for the senior side – blocked an initial attack from the right but the ball rebounded to Riley who sliced home his second across Scholars keeper Ryan Price into the far corner.

The Vics could have added a third on 38 minutes but Price was on hand to save from close range, while Perrow’s low effort three minutes later went straight to Hinchcliffe as the Scholars continued to struggle for the rest of the half.

The home side began the second half in similar lively fashion, going close with a cross from the right on 50 minutes, but it was the Scholars who would pull one back two minutes later when some great work by Westwood saw him set up Perrow who shot across Hinchcliffe into the far corner with Jevons getting the final touch.

This fired up the host even more with Ryan Wade’s cross almost headed home at the far post on the hour mark, but the Scholars attackers also looked slightly more lively while Mark Branch was controlling matters out on the left.

Chasetown came close to an equaliser on 73 minutes when Hinchcliffe tipped a Branch free kick around the woodwork after substitute Smith had flicked on while Branch then blocked a shot from Wade after a fine solo run down the left, the latter then forcing Price into a diving save.

The dam cracked again on 83 minutes when again Northwich showed great pace down the left and Michael Clarke fired their third goal past Price to make certain of the victory.

Chasetown: Price, Turner, M Branch, Cohen, Westwood (Sedgemore, 82 mins), Teesdale,
Stephens (Smith, 27 mins), Slater, Jevons, Perrow, Johnson (Steadman, 73 mins)

Other Subs: Hands, Parsons (not used)