MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 2-2 Concord Rangers | National League South | Saturday 4th March 2023

Chippenham Town come from behind, to record 6 consecutive draws, as they draw 2-2 at home to Concord Rangers.

Late goals from Eddie Jones and Craig Fasanmade gave Chippenham a point, in a game that they seemed to be down-and-out in.

It was the hosts who had lots of the early pressure, with Spencer Hamilton firing a volley inside the penalty area wide of goal on 10 minutes, and just a minute later Alex Bray fired a near post shot that was saved by the goalkeeper.

Hamilton then found himself running at the Concord left-back Burton before seemingly being tripped inside the box, but referee Andrew Humphries saw otherwise, and Concord cleared their lines.

Chippenham’s biggest threat of the first-half fell the way of Will Richards following a Caine Bradbury free kick, but the Welshman couldn’t head on target and the chance was wasted

It was on 37 minutes that the game began to shift momentum, as Concord broke with substitute Quentin Monville on the right, but Richards threw himself down low to block the Beachboys attack.

With only their second attack of the afternoon the visitors found themselves in the lead, as Jack Tomas headed goalwards following Tosan Popo’s corner. That was the last of the first-half action, and that would have changed Gary Horgan’s half-time team-talk.

HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 0-1 Concord Rangers

The news went from bad to worse at half time, as Alex Bray was forced off with a groin injury. Forward Craig Fasanmade replaced him.

It was Fasanmade who sprang into action first as he latched onto an Eddie Jones long ball, but fired his shot wide of Mitch Beeney’s post.

The flash point of the match came on 75 minutes when Hamilton was challenged roughly by Monville, Hamilton reacted by pushing the Concord forward to the ground and Mr Humphries gave the Chippenham captain his marching orders.

The Bluebirds’ misery was compounded on 84 minutes when substitute Nana Kyei picked up on a Concord clearance, before firing low past Will Henry and all three points were gift wrapped on their way to Essex.

Chippenham seemed to have been defeated, with fans leaving in their droves, and even more followed when Joe Hanks was denied a seemingly stonewall penalty after being thrown to the ground.

Despite this adversity, Chippenham didn’t slow. Joe Parker was fouled on the edge of the penalty area, and when Alefe Santos kicked short to Jones on the edge of the box, he got the better of Beeney.

The once silenced Thornbury Surfacing Stadium began to liven again, and Chippenham came forward with purpose

Deep into the six minutes of added time, Parker delivered an inch perfect ball onto the head of Craig Fasanmade who could do nothing but score.

Chippenham’s two late goals knocked the stuffing out of Concord who had dropped points again.

Despite the jubilant atmosphere, it is a sixth consecutive draw for Chippenham who are now only one more draw away from the record (7). Chippenham will now look forward to their trip to Weymouth on Tuesday, another relegation affair.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 2-2 Concord Rangers

Attendance: 575

Match report by Jamie Oleszynski