MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 3-0 Eastbourne Borough | National League South | Saturday 9th November 2024
Chippenham Town produced a superb all round performance as they overcame top of the table Eastbourne Borough.
The Bluebirds were on the front foot from the off as skipper Luke Haines headed over the bar in the second minute following a short corner routine.
Harry Parsons then had a shot blocked at the expense of a corner whilst an impressive run by former Borough player Leone Gravata presented Parsons with a good chance but his shot went high.
On fourteen minutes Borough’s David Sesay fired a low shot from twenty five yards wide of goal.
The Bluebirds took the lead just before the half hour as Max Metcalfe could only parry Parsons’ shot into the path of Tom Mehew who fired home.
The Bluebirds doubled their lead on thirty six minutes when a deep free kick was placed beyond the far post where Haines’ looping header went beyond the reach of Metcalfe.
Before the break the Sports Pierce Bird’s hopeful shot from distance went way over the bar.
HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 2-0 Eastbourne Borough
The second half saw Eastbourne play more like title challengers as they pinned Chippenham back.
On fifty three minutes substitute Alfie Pavey’s header was blocked whilst on the hour mark his looping header went narrowly wide.
A minute later substitute Jayden Davis saw his volley blocked by the Bluebirds defence.
After absorbing sustained Borough pressure Chippenham wrapped the game up on sixty four minutes as Mehew found Parsons just inside his own half and he ran on to calmly place his shot past the advancing Metcalfe.
The Bluebirds sat back to protect their lead inviting pressure but Eastbourne were unable to take advantage.
Midway through the half Alexander’s effort again was just off target whilst Henry saved a shot from substitute Siyabonga Ligendza.
Six minutes from time Henry superbly tipped over a shot from Davis whilst in stoppage time a long throw was flicked on by Pavey but Alexander’s volley was well-held by Henry, and then a further long throw ended with Alexander’s shot being blocked.
FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 3-0 Eastbourne Borough
Chippenham: Will Henry, Alex Bray (Will Dawes 78), Tyreke Johnson, Luke Haines, Freddie Grant, Luke Spokes, Tom Mehew, Joe Andrews (Will King 78), Leone Gravata, Tom Owen-Evans, Harry Parsons (Matt McClure 90) subs not used: Caine Bradbury, Nat Williams
Eastbourne: Max Metcalfe, Courtney Clarke, Oliver Kensdale, Moussa Diarra (Dan Quick 80), Pierce Bird (Jayden Davis 46), Yahaya Bamba (Siyabonga Ligendza 62), Brayden Johnson, Dominic Odusanya, David Sesay, George Alexander, Finn Ballard-McBride (Alfie Pavey 46) sub not used: Will Harley
Referee: Steven Swan
Assistant Refs: Sean Jenkins, James Welsh
4th Official: Thomas Copping
Attendance: 605
