Chasetown 3 Carlton 0 - Report, pictures and fan gallery

In a match the Scholars dominated from the off, first-half goals from Jake Lovatt, Danny Cocks and George Cater saw the home side stroll to a victory.

After back-to-back defeats against Lincoln United and Bedworth, Scott Dundas’ side impressed on Tuesday only to concede a stoppage-time equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Cleethorpes.

But the promotion chasers returned to top form here, with Carlton barely testing Scholars’ keeper Curtis Pond and Chasetown going onto create numerous other goal scoring opportunities.

Dundas’ men were dealt a blow before kick-off with striker Muzzy Ndunda only fit to start on the subs bench after he picked up a dead leg while scoring midweek.

It meant February’s player of the month Jake Lovatt was named up front alongside George Cater in traditional 4-4-2 system that saw Danny Cocks operate wide left and Will Whieldon on the right.

Carlton, who entered the clash sitting 15th in the division, also began in a 4-4-2 formation with Jordon Wilson partnering Ben Hutchinson in attack.

It was Scott Dundas’ side who started the game on the front foot with the hosts eager to keep the ball on the floor and get it wide whenever possible.

And they took an early lead in the ninth minute when Lovatt emphatically fired in from close range after Carlton failed to deal with Whieldon’s corner.

Just moments later, the Scholars almost doubled their advantage when a Whieldon free-kick from wide on the left was tipped onto the cross bar by Jack Steggles.

Chasetown continued to look comfortable as the half reached its midway point with the visitor’s only threat coming from distance.

And with the Scholars dominating the ball, they twice came close to doubling their advantage before the half-hour mark.

First, Lovatt latched on to Cater’s flick-on only to then see a low-drive stopped by the legs of Steggles.

Whiledon then saw another dangerous free-kick from the left tipped away by the keeper.

Carlton were struggling to get out of their own half with Dundas’ men retrieving possession high up the pitch whenever a move broke down.

And they deservedly doubled their advantage after some fine combination play between Cater and Whieldon.

It ended with the winger sending in a pin-point cross to the back-post which Cocks expertly volleyed in on the angle from eight-yards.

Dundas’ side were now rampant and they made it 3-0 in the 36th minute when Cocks found Cater in the box with the forward then powering a low drive past a hapless Steggles.

Despite the lead the Scholars kept coming forward with captain Jack Langston seeing an effort cleared off the line before Lovatt then sent a diving header against the post.

With the home side enjoying almost complete control, Carlton made a double change at the break with Tyler Blake and Mamoke Akaunu replacing Hutchinson and Kaylam Mitchell. It was a move that saw the Millers switch to a back-three.

Nevertheless, it was Chasetown who continued on the front foot with Whieldon seeing a free-kick sail inches past the post and Langston also heading wide from the edge of the box.

Carlton were struggling to create anything of note, with the Scholars then threatening again when Langston brilliantly lifted the ball over a defenders head only to fire wide when he should have scored.

Lovatt then almost found the bottom corner after turning well in the box only to see his effort well stopped by Steggles.

With less than 10 minutes to go, substitute Jack Dundas raced through on goal only to see a fierce drive well stopped by the keeper.

And from that point on the home side saw out the game in comfort to secure a much deserved victory.

Teams:

Chasetown (4-4-2): Pond, Hayward, M. O’Reilly, O’Neill, J. O’Reilly, Whieldon, Baker, Langston (Ryan 85), Cocks (Mzungwana 66), Lovatt (Dundas 77), Cater.

Subs not used: Nduna, Smith.

Carlton (4-4-2): Steggles, Mutibvu, Danquah, Schoenecker, Baldwin, Walker, Mitchell (Akaunu 46), Elliott (Pepe 80), Wilson, Hutchinson (Blake 46), Davie.

Subs not used: Bailey, Hooton

Attendance: 151