A sensational hattrick from the returning Scott Jones sealed victory as Chi City blew away Little Common in style, with a 5-1 win.
Miles Rutherford and Graeme Gee brought back top scorer Jones who started in a front three along side Gicu Lordarche and Josh Clack, midfield maestros George Way and Matt Axell were called back into the side, after having missed last week’s victory, and this change proved vital.
City started the better as Josh Clack was denied by a fine save and Jones’ earlier effort was blocked after Clack had picked him out.
It took only four minutes for the deadlock to be broken, with Axell whipping the ball in from a corner, captain Conor Cody flicked it on for Jones, who guided it into the net.
Moments after the restart Jones claimed his second, beating the offside trap and taking the ball around the keeper before calmly slotting it home, much to the delight of the City fans.
Jones could have completed his hattrick within the first ten minutes. Chi keeper, Ryan Young found Gicu with an inch perfect pass, who then tried to pick out Jones who slid in, but could only divert the ball wide of the target.
Jamie Crone threatened for the visitors, but his cross was smothered by the ever reliable Young. This was closely followed by Wes Tate volleying wide, with Little Common edging back into the game.
Clack and Jones then combined again, with the latter heading over. Jones then turned provider, setting up Gicu, but the winger was denied by an outstanding last-ditch tackle.
Axell was denied a goal after converting a Clack shot into the net, following good build up play by the versatile Rob Hutchings.
City got their third before the break through Clack, who kept the ball in, after Axell’s shot was blocked, and dribbled past two defenders before powering the ball under Matt Cruttwell.
Half Time: Chi City 3-0 Little Common
Little Common came out fighting, and five minutes from the restart pulled a goal back after determined smart play from Tate, setting up Russel Eldridge, who scored after two stabs at it.
Chi captain Cody went on one of his mazy runs from the back, right through the visitors’ midfield, but was thwarted by another perfectly timed tackle as he was about to pull the trigger.
Jones secured his hattrick in style, he collected the ball, and having spotted Cruttwell off his line, scored a peach of a goal into the top left corner, triggering wild celebrations on the Chi City bench.
Lewis Hole tried to score a stunner himself, but unfortunately for the Little Common captain his shot blazed over onto the archery field.
Clack and Gicu both had chances to kill the game, with the latter unfortunately producing a heavy touch after being played through by substitute Kaleem Haitham, and Clack being denied by a smart save.
The victory was sealed in added time after another Gicu run and cross which resulted in mayhem in the visitors box, with a Little Common defender scoring into his own net.
City remain 10 points clear at the top of the table with six games to go in the league. Chi’s next fixture is away against Lingfield.
Chi Team: Young, Lewis, Hutchings, Axell, Cody, Pashley, Clack, Biggs, Jones, Way, Gicu
Subs: Williams, Krumpholz, Peake, Ndlovu, Haitham
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