MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 1-2 St Albans City | National League South | Saturday 21st October 2023

The Saints pulled off their first ever victory at the TSS as Chippenham took the lead before missing a penalty and then conceding just before the break and again a quarter of an hour from time. In the fourth minute Ryan Blackman’s  shot from out wide went across the face of goal whilst five minutes later Mitchell Weiss’ low shot was saved by Will Henry.

Just past the midway point of the half Chippenham fashioned their first chance as Luke Spokes found Alex Bray whose shot was deflected behind.

On twenty four minutes Freddie Grant’s low cross into the six yard box was just out of the reach of Matt McClure.

Blackman then saw another effort blocked whilst Nat Williams’ through ball saw a Saints defender just slide in to deny McClure.

The Bluebirds took the lead on thirty two minutes when Jake Evans’ cross was superbly controlled by McClure who then touched the ball past Michael Johnson.

Ibby Akanbi’s low shot was saved by Henry whilst Spokes’ run was ended on the edge of the area but appeals for a penalty went unanswered.

On thirty nine minutes a surging run by Caine Bradbury took him into the area where he was upended but Johnson pulled off a superb save from McClure’s ensuing penalty. Tyreke Johnson then found McClure whose shot cannoned off the bar.

St Albans equalized on forty two minutes as Giorgio Rasulo’s shot was blocked by Henry but Weiss was on hand to find the net from the loose ball. As the Saints took up the initiative before the break Akanbi’s shot was deflected behind whilst Nathan Carlyle blazed over.

HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 1-1 St Albans City

The second half saw few chances until the sixty third minute when Johnson appeared to be fouled in the area but again no second penalty arrived.

Eight minutes later Bradbury and substitute Craig Fasanmade both bore down on goal but Johnson bravely dived at their feet to grab the ball suffering an injury in the process.

The winning goal came on seventy five minutes with a fine angled shot from substitute George Morrall, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes.

Ten minutes from time Chippenham introduced Ed Williams who had re-signed for the club the day before.

Chippenham forced a couple of corners from which Spokes headed over from the latter. Two minutes into stoppage time Grant headed over whilst three minutes later Eddie Jones’s header was blocked on the line by Joe Partington.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 1-2 St Albans City

Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Luke Haines, Nat Williams, Tyreke Johnson (Craig Fasanmade 69), Jake Evans, Matt McClure, Alex Bray (Ed Williams 80), Luke Spokes, Caine Bradbury subs not used: Dan ellison, Owen Windsor, Miguel Alves

St Albans: Michael Johnson, Sam Smith, Dan Bowry, Ryan Blackman, Giorgio Rasulo, Mitchell Weiss (George Morrall 72), Joe Partington, Dylan Fage, Nathan Carlyle, Ben Wyatt, Ibby Akanbi (Shaun Jefferes 72) subs not used: Charlie McDonald, Kieran Gauthier, Olu Lawal

Ref: Abigail Byrne

Ass Refs: Zak Demetriades, William Payne