MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 1-1 Torquay United | National League South | Tuesday 23rd January 2024

Both sides should be congratulated for serving up a hugely entertaining game against the backdrop of storm Jocelyn which proved highly entertaining for the 651 spectators who braved the wet and windy conditions.

Torquay took the lead on eleven minutes as Will Jenkins-Davies, on loan from Plymouth Argyle, turned his man before being left with only Will Henry to beat and he picked his spot.

A minute later Ethon Archer crossed and Jenkins-Davies headed wide.

Chippenham’s first chance came on the quarter hour mark as Craig Fasanmade fired wide.

On twenty two minutes Jenkins-Davies was booked for a foul and two minutes later Dillon De Silva shot wide for the Gulls.

Just before the half hour Ross Marshall’s cross was headed wide by former Bluebird Brad Ash.

A minute later Jenkins-Davies’ shot deflected off a defender for Will Henry to hold above his head.

Caine Bradbury was then off target with an effort for the Bluebirds whilst a Torquay free kick ended up at the impressive Jenkins-Davies whose effort was saved by Henry.

A minute before the break Dan Ellison had to go off injured to be replaced by Nat Williams.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 0-1 Torquay United

After the break Jenkins-Davies’ free kick was headed wide by Ash.

Chippenham lost their second central defender on the hour mark as Aaron Amadi-Holloway was replaced by Jake Evans.

Freddie Grant’s shot from the edge of the area went wide before a Matt McClure shot was blocked.

On sixty five minutes Jenkins-Davies received his second yellow and the Devon side were reduced to ten men.

Chippenham levelled two minutes later as Will King’s shot was blocked and the Torquay defence failed to clear and McClure tapped home from close-in.

Evans then had an effort blocked as Chippenham went in search of a winner, whilst at the other end De Silva found Archer who hit the bar.

A quarter of an hour from time a superb low cross from Tyreke Johnson went across the face of goal just eluding McClure and Fasanmade.

Bradbury then saw another effort flash wide whilst Mark Halstead saved the Gulls as he dived on an excellent cross from Eddie Jones before any Bluebird player could pounce.

Torquay almost snatched a winner themselves ten minutes from time as Henry blocked Archer’s effort and substitute Lewis Collins’ follow-up was blocked on the line.

Bradbury again saw a shot fizz wide whilst in the eighty ninth minute Henry made a great double block.

A minute later Luke Spokes’ wind-assisted corner almost sailed straight in but Halstead punched it off the line.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 1-1 Torquay United

Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Jake Evans 60), Dan Ellison (Nat Williams 44), Luke Spokes, Will King, Caine Bradbury, Tyreke Johnson, Craig Fasanmade, Matt McClure (Tom Owen-Evans 76) subs not used: Alex Bray, Tom Mehew

Torquay: Mark Halstead, Ross Marshall, Asa Hall (Tom Lapsie 61), Brad Ash (Lewis Collins 69), Brett McGavin, Dillon De Silva, Will Jenkins-Davies, Dean Moxey, Ollie Tomlinson, Archie Harris, Erthon Archer subs not used: Finley Craske, Rhys Lovett, Calum Thomas Ref: Callum Fisk

Ass Refs: Sean Jenkins, James Welsh

Att: 651