MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 1-1 Hampton & Richmond Borough | National League South | Saturday 6th September

We finish level against with the Beavers in a game of two spot kicks.

It was a stalemate at the TSS between the Bluebirds and Hampton and Richmond Borough in the end as two first half penalties for each side were the only goals of the game.

It nearly got off to the worst possible start for our boys in blue, as a long ball over the top caught the defence napping. Former Bluebird Craig Fasanmade was bearing down on goal but his shot was just wide of the left post just ten minutes into the game. 

Hampton and Richmond tried the same tactic as they sent a long searching ball up towards Saul Kader this time. However, Will Henry was quick off his line to collect the ball. 

Our number one made a few very good stops in that first 45 minutes. Alfie Tuck was unfortunate to see two of his free kicks tremendously saved by Henry, the second save ended up with a Beavers player getting on the rebound and we were thankful to see the shot hit the post.

In between that we took the lead after a foul was committed in the penalty area on Henry Sady. Tom Owen-Evans kept his nerve to send James Holden the wrong way, as his penalty was struck down the middle. 

Unfortunately, an equaliser would come just before the half time whistle. There was a tussle in our box as a corner was played in for the visitors. The contact was enough for the referee to point to the spot. Ronan Silva, who had a great chance earlier in the game, made sure he wasn’t going to miss this golden opportunity from twelve yards. Just like Owen-Evans, his penalty was straight down the middle as the side from London had got their equaliser going into the break.

HALF-TIME: CHIPPENHAM TOWN 1-1 HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH

We started the second half on the front foot and it was a great link up between Owen-Evans, Sol Wanjau-Smith and Sady. Unfortunately, the latter’s strike from range was saved by Holden. 

A further two chances followed for us with Owen-Evans and Wanjau-Smith again at the heart of the opportunities for the Bluebirds. Both tried their luck from the outside of the penalty area, with Wanjau-Smith’s shot almost catching Holden out, though he made a great save down to his right to keep the score level. 

Then it was the away side’s turn to try and push for a winner with substitutions coming on to the pitch late on in the game. Henry was fantastic in goal once again, as Hampton and Richmond had a corner that was brilliantly punched away by our number one. He was alert once more just two seconds later to make the save to deny a header from a Beavers player that was surely heading for the top right corner had Henry not been there. 

A throw-in was hurled into the box for Alan Julian’s side and it was not dealt with as the ball ricocheted its way through to the back post where Paul Field on the slide could only guide his strike on to the post. A very good chance for Hampton and Richmond, probably their best opportunity of the game and every Chippenham fan in the crowd breathed a huge sigh of relief that it did not find its way into the back of the net.

Talking about good chances, Quevin Castro, was sent through with a golden opportunity one-on-one. The Bluebirds faithful thought they were going to see us snatch a late winner. Holden made himself big in the Hampton and Richmond Borough goal and that saved his side a valuable point, as that was ultimately the last notable opportunity of the game. 

The final whistle would soon fall, and secure us a point against a team that started the day in third.

FULL-TIME: CHIPPENHAM TOWN 1-1 HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH

Next weekend is the return of FA Cup action as we travel to Meadow Park to face Gloucester City in the Second Qualifying Round. The week after sees us on the road again as Enfield Town welcomes us to Greater London. Meanwhile, our next confirmed league fixture at home is on the 4th October as we host Hemel Hempstead Town that weekend. COME ON YOU BLUEBIRDS!!!

CTFC: Will Henry, Ethan Vaughan, Will King (Jake Evans 81), Tom Harrison (Jac Poffley 62), Luke Haines (C), Tom Mehew, Reece Fleet, Tom Owen-Evans, Henry Sady (Quevin Castro 81), Sol Wanjau-Smith (Caine Bradbury 71), Ezio Touray (Harlee Vozza 77)

Unused: Cole Fleming, Lewis Colwell