MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 2-2 Eastleigh – Tues 3rd Aug 2021

A highly entertaining game saw the Bluebirds achieve a deserved draw against their National League visitors.

A highly entertaining game saw the Bluebirds achieve a deserved draw against their National League visitors.

Chippenham were the first to show with Marlon Jackson shooting over in the second minute.
Jackson opened the scoring four minutes later when he headed home from a Joe Hanks free kick.

The Hampshire side’s response was immediate as they levelled two minutes later as Ryan Hill’s cross was bundled home by Harry Pritchard. The Bluebirds’ Luke Russe was then off target with a long range shot and Alefe Santos’s shot was easily gathered by Joe McDonald, At the other end Tyrone Barnett’s fierce shot was just too high.

Russe was again wide of the mark whilst appeals for a penalty after Harry Warwick went down in the area were ignored.

Two minutes before the break Santos’s shot from an angle went across the keeper and just wide of the goal.

Eastleigh made several changes after the break and came out on the front foot as recent signing from Southampton Jake Hesketh crossed and Sam Smart’s shot was turned into his own net by Alex Bray. Harvey Bunker, on loan from Forest Green Rovers, then saw his drive superbly tipped over by the visitor’s stopper.

Trialist wearing the number three shirt then made the first of several superb long runs into the Eastleigh area.

Pritchard’s shot then deflected off a home defender into the arms of Will Henry.

The Bluebirds levelled in the sixty fourth minute when substitute Dan Griffiths rifled home.

As Chippenham continued to take the game to their more illustrious opponents Bunker shot over before the Eastleigh keeper made a brilliant double save.

McDonnell again excelled four minutes from time whilst a minute later the Spitfires wasted a golden chance to snatch victory when substitute Danny Hollands headed over from close range.

Date: Tuesday 3rd August 2021

Chippenham: Will Henry, Alex Bray, Trialist, Trialist, Kieran Parselle, Luke Russe, Harvey Bunker, Joe Hanks, Harry Warwick, Alefe Santos, Marlon Jackson subs included: Spencer Hamilton, Dan Griffiths

Eastleigh: Joe McDonnell, Josh Hare, Andrew Boyce, Trialist, Michael Kelly, Ryan Hill, Cav Miley, Tom Whelan, Harry Pritchard, Dan Smith, Tyrone Bennett subs: Jack Turniainen, Tom Bragg, Tom Blair, Danny Hollands, Jake Hesketh, Sam Smart, Ben House