MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 1-4 Dartford | National League South | Saturday 7th October 2023

The Bluebirds faithful can rarely have experienced such a balmy October Saturday in the past century and a half, unfortunately the home side could not match the warm weather.

On nine minutes a Chippenham free kick was flicked on to Matt McClure and his instant touch hit keeper Michael Beeney who knew little about the whereabouts of the ball.

Two minutes later a Dartford break saw Harvey Bradbury’s attempted lob go wide.

Freddie Grant’s low shot then lacked the power to beat Beeney.

Midway through the half referee Tom Ellsmore spotted a push following a Darts free kick and Bradbury converted the resultant penalty.

On twenty six minutes Eddie Jones, who appeared to have been fouled in the build up, was adjudged to have brought down Moussa Diarra in the area, although many in the crowd thought the offence was outside the box, Bradbury again beat Will Henry from twelve yards.

Ten minutes later the Bluebirds lost Aaron Amadi-Holloway with a hamstring injury with Nat Williams replacing him.

Dartford made the game safe on thirty eight minutes as Henry was caught in possession by Brandon Barzey, the ball went goalwards as did Barzey who tapped into the empty net.

Chippenham could feel hard done by four minutes before the break when a cross into the box hit a Dartford hand but after awarding two generous penalties at the other end nothing was given by Ellsmore.

In stoppage time a Caine Bradbury corner eventually saw the ball returned to him but his shot from an angle was held by Beeney.

HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 0-3 Dartford

Five minutes into the second half the Bluebird defence gave the ball away as Bradbury found Josh Johnson whose shot was saved by Henry.

Two minutes later the Bluebirds reduced the arrears as Owen Windsor nodded home a cross from Tyreke Johnson.

A further Johnson cross then saw Bradbury fire wide.

A Dartford free kick ended with Joash Nembhard lofting over whilst on the hour Barzey rolled his shot across the face of goal.

Twenty minutes from time McClure was upended in the box but again no penalty resulted.

A Jones cross saw Johnson head over.

Dartford wrapped the scoring up on seventy six minutes as Bradbury nicked the ball off Williams and laid it to Johnson who rifled home.

Four minutes later the Kent side were reduced to ten men when Max Statham received his second yellow card.

Luke Spokes shot straight at the keeper whilst Dartford’s Bradbury curled an effort wide.

In the final minute McClure’s shot on the turn was just too high.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 1-4 Dartford

Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Nat Williams 36), Luke Haines, Tyreke Johnson (Will King 83), Jake Evans, Matt McClure, Owen Windsor, Luke Spokes, Caine Bradbury subs not used: Craig Fasanmade, Marcel Lewis, Alex Avenell

Dartford: Mitchell Beeney, Jordan Wynter, Sam Odaudu, Baris Altintop, Luke Coulson, Max Statham, Brandon Barzey (Lucas Depise 73), Josh Johnson, Joash Nembhard, Harvey Bradbury, Moussa Diarra subs not used: Lewis Manor, Manny Adebowale, Jayden Boulton, Manny Idem

Ref: Tom ellsmore

Ass Refs: Oliver Kaya, David Malyon