MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 1-0 Aveley | National League South | Saturday 5th August 2023
The Bluebirds recorded an opening day National South victory for the first time at the seventh attempt.
It was a hard fought victory against newly promoted Aveley who proved worthy opponents but Chippenham will be pleased with the three points as they were without several key players.
The Essex side were the first to show as Kenny Aileru’s effort was touched onto the bar by Will Henry and behind for a fruitless corner.
Six minutes later Garrett Kelly found Matt Rush who dragged his shot wide. With the strong wind at their backs Bluebirds’ Matt McClure tried an audacious shot from inside of the centre circle as he saw Jonathan North off his line, but he was off target.
Midway through the half Tyreke Johnson had two good efforts within three minutes of each other.
The first shot hit a post and out for a goal kick whilst the second hit the bar.
Chippenham hit the all important goal on twenty five minutes as Will King played in Johnson whose cross cum shot completely deceived North in the Millers goal as it sailed into the top left hand corner.
A minute before the interval Craig Fasanmade appealed to be fouled in the area but nothing was given.
HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 1-0 Aveley
The second half saw the visitors kick down the slope with the wind in their favour and they made the most of the conditions, especially in the last quarter of an hour, as they searched for an equalizer.
A minute after the break Rush slipped in Nana Kyei whose angles shot hit the side netting.
On seventy seven minutes Jon Benton, recently signed from crisis club Southend United, went down in the box but Aveley’s vociferous appeals for a penalty were waved aside.
A minute from time Henry made a good save to beny Benton whilst Kelly’s headed effort was just wide.
In the second of six stoppage time minutes Aveley unsuccessfully claimed another penalty claiming substitute Alex Hernandez had been kicked in the head.
In the ninety fourth minute Benton’s shot went wide.
FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 1-0 Aveley
Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Craig Fasanmade, Aaron Amadi-Holloway, Tyreke Johnson, Jake Evans, Matt McClure, Caine Bradbury, Nat Williams, Will King (Luke Spokes 74) subs not used: George Abbott, Alex Bray, Owen Windsor, Mal Nicholls,
Aveley: Jonathan North, Jason Ring, Tom Stephen, Siju Odelusi, Jalen Jones, Harry Gibbs, Nana Kyei (Charlee Hughes 70), Garrett Kelly, Matt Rush, Jon Benton, Kenny Aileru (Alex Hernandez 85) subs not used: Connor Witherspoon, Tommy Davis, Jonathan Nzengo
Ref: C. Fisk
Att: 569
Match report by Wil Hulbert
