MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 2-1 Hampton & Richmond Borough | National League South | Monday 10th April 2023

The Bluebirds gave their fans some Easter cheer as they came from behind to beat their West London visitors. The three points meant that the Bluebirds are mathematically safe from relegation.

Chippenham were second best for most of the first half as they failed to come to terms with the gusty conditions that saw the wind in their backs and the slope in their favour in the first half.

Skipper Spencer Hamilton was injured in the warm-up to add to Chippenham’s centre back problems, his replacement, Will Richards was also carrying an injury but again marshalled the defence expertly.

The first minute saw a defensive error allow Alfy Whittingham a shot that went across the face of goal and beyond the dive of Will Henry and past the far post with referee Craig Scrivens awarding a corner.

Three minutes later Ruaridh Donaldson’s drive went across the face of goal and hit Jake Gray with the ricochet heading for goal and forcing Henry to dive on the ball.

It wasn’t until the half-hour that Chippenham fashioned an effort on goal with keeper Alan Julian deflecting the ball behind for a fruitless corner.

The Beavers took the lead on thirty two minutes when a corner saw Dean Inman steal in unmarked to poke the ball home.

Two minutes later a scramble in the goalmouth saw Henry just manage to keep the ball from crossing the line at the expense of a corner.

On thirty six minutes Shane Dunne elbowed Will King to the floor with the referee only giving the visiting player a yellow card.

HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 0-1 Hampton & Richmond Borough

After the break the Bluebirds played far better against the wind and up the slope.

A flowing move ended with Matt McClure’s shot deflecting for a fifty second minute corner.

Three minutes later another Bluebird flag-kick was scrambled clear.

As Chippenham continued to press a Caine Bradbury cross was met by Alex Bray to side-foot home.

King then played a delightful chip into the area but substitute Owen Windsor failed to get clean connection.

A quarter of an hour from time substitute Ed Williams’s cross found Joe Parker whose headed effort was deflected behind.

The resulting corner was only cleared as far as Luke Russe who volleyed over.

The winning goal came on seventy eight minutes as Parker was played in behind the defence and he ran through to neatly beat Julian.

Chippenham comfortably played out time as Sam Deadfield skied over from twenty five yards.

Windsor’s shot on eighty one minutes was beaten out by Julian.

Two minutes later Williams crossed to substitute Craig Fasanmade who headed over and moments later Fasanmade found Windsor in the box and he poked a shot goalwards but Julian saved.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 2-1 Hampton & Richmond Borough

Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Will King, Ollie Tomlinson, Will Richards, Luke Russe, Tom Mehew, Caine Bradbury, Alex Bray (Ed Williams 70), Joe Parker (Craig Fasanmade 80), Matt McClure (Owen Windsor 56) subs not used: Leighton Tuodolo, Alfie Santos

Hampton & RB: Alan Julian, Ruaridh Donaldson (Daniel Rowe 76), Dean Inman , Luis Fernandez, Alfy Whittingham (Jaden Crowhurst 80), Jake Gray, Dan Wishart, Sam Deadfield, Adrian Clifton (Brandon Barzey 66), Shane Dunne, Jordan Thomas subs not used: Jaheim Whyte, Endurance Johnson

Ref: Craig Scriven

Ass Refs: Colin Hubbary, Anthony Smith

Att: 696

Match report by Wil Hulbert