MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 4-2 Eastbourne Borough | National League South | Saturday 4th November 2023

The Bluebirds recorded only their second victory over Eastbourne in their tenth National South meeting, at the same time notching up their first three points at home since August Bank Holiday.

Chippenham suffered the tenth minute loss of Nat Williams to injury picked up as he blocked an earlier effort from Zak Emmerson.

The Sussex side’s Decarry Sheriff found Billy Vigar on fourteen minutes but his shot was blocked.

Fletcher Holman failed with another chance for the visitors whilst on twenty minutes Caine Bradbury’s shot was blocked.

A minute later Holman gave the Sports the lead as he fired a low shot past Will Henry.

On thirty five minutes Tyreke Johnson found Bradbury who was off target with his effort.

The Bluebirds drew level four minutes before the break as Bradbury was fouled just outside the area and he converted the resulting free-kick himself.

Before the interval Jack Clarke’s free kick saw Vigar’s low shot saved by Henry whilst Matt McClure fired over for the hosts.

HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 1-1 Eastbourne Borough

Chippenham produced a sparkling second half display and took the lead on fifty two minutes through a McClure penalty awarded after Johnson cut into the box from the left and was upended by Freddie Carter.

Leone Gravata then had an effort blocked by substitute Dan Ellison before Eastbourne forced three corners in eight minutes with the third one seeing Clarke volley over.

Chippenham increased their lead on seventy three minutes as Ellison’s crossfield ball found its way to Bradbury who beat Harrison Foulkes at his near post with a low shot.

Three minutes later substitute Craig Fasanmade appeared to be sandwiched between two defenders as he burst into the box but no penalty was awarded.

The ball was swiftly moved to the other end where Gravata reduced the arrears.

The returning Tom Mehew was then introduced for Mal Nicholls and on eighty three minutes Luke Spokes’ shot was blocked.

Six minutes later Johnson raced onto a through ball but his shot was also blocked.

The first minute of stoppage time saw Fasanmade race through and round Foulkes but his weakly hit shot enabled Archie Porter to get back and clear off the line.

Two minutes later Johnson beat two defenders but his strong shot from outside the area was blocked by Foulkes who managed to gather the ball at the second attempt.

On ninety four minutes Eastbourne’s high line was again pierced by Fasanmade and this time he successfully rounded Foulkes before planting the ball into the empty net.

A minute later Eastbourne substitute Dan Quick hit a free-kick from inside his own half goalwards but Henry easily held the effort.

FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 4-2 Eastbourne Borough

Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Luke Haines, Nat Williams (Dan Ellison 10), Mal Nicholls (Tom Mehew 77), Luke Spokes, Ed Williams, Caine Bradbury, Tyreke Johnson, Matt McClure (Craig Fasanmade 72) subs not used: Alex Bray, Owen Windsor

Eastbourne: Harrison Foulkes, Archie Procter, Brad Barry, Jack Clarke (Dan Quick 71), Decarrey Sheriff, Jay Beckford (Imran Uche 65), Freddie Carter, Fletcher Holman, Leone Gravata, Zak Emmerson, Billy Vigar subs not used: Ben Dudzinski, Yaser Kasim, Alfie Bridgman

Ref: Phillip Eddie

Ass Refs: Colin Hubbard, Sean Jenkins