MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 5-3 Gloucester City | FA Trophy Third Round | Saturday 9th December 2023
This much anticipated match lived up to expectations as Chippenham Town moved into the fourth round proper for the first time ever. After being three goals to the good inside the hour Chippenham were twice pegged back to a single goal lead at 3-2 and 4-3 before a fifth Bluebird goal proved beyond the reach of the Tigers.
Both sides contained several players who had previously turned out for the other side and Gloucester were managed by former Chippenham boss Mike Cook along with his backroom staff.
The visitors from National North were the first to show as Brandon Smalley, a previous Bluebird triallist, fired high in the opening minute.
The visitors then forced two of seven first half corners before Chippenham took the lead on nine minutes.
Craig Fasanmade won a high ball which was then played forward to Matt McClure who made no mistake against his former side.
Six minutes later McClure’s shot from outside the area went over the bar.
Just after the midway point of the half former Bluebird favourite Joe Hanks shot straight at Will Henry. Smalley again fired over whilst Henry pushed out a Liam Cross shot.
A further brace of Gloucester corners saw the second one headed wide by Ben Richardson-Everton.
On twenty seven minutes Fasanmade’s shot beat Zach Jeacock all ends up but Richards-Everton made a superb goal line clearance.
Chippenham’s first corner came on the half hour and Luke Spokes’ ended with Tom Mehew’s shot being tipped over by Jeacock. From the resulting corner Luke Haines headed wide.
The Bluebirds doubled their lead on thirty six minutes when Spokes’ free kick was blocked back to him his follow-up effort suffered the same fate but this time the loose ball fell to Haines who fired home.
Before the break Tom Owen-Evans saw his shot blocked whilst a further flag-kick saw Jeacock dive to save Freddie Grant’s effort on the line.
In stoppage time Dan Ellison’s long ball found Fasanmade who was flanked by two defenders but he still managed to get fly and Jeacock saved.
HALF TIME: Chippenham Town 2-0 Gloucester City
After the break Gloucester substitute Harry Emmett saw his forty eighth minute shot saved.
Twelve minutes later Fasanmade latched on to a long ball forward and ran on to beat Jeacock.
On the hour Harry Pinchard’s effort hit the bar and a minute later Gloucester were handed a way back into the match as referee Phillip Eddie awarded a penalty as a cross hit a Chippenham hand, Hanks giving Henry no chance from the ensuing spot kick.
Six minutes later Tigers’ substitute Ben Beresford headed home a cross from the left.
Chippenham restored their two goal lead on seventy three minutes as McClure’s shot was parried by Jeacock into the path of Owen-Evans who fired home for his first goal of the season. Two minutes later a fine long range shot from Liam Cross made it 4-3.
A minute after that a howler from Jeacock, who somehow contrived to fail to control a simple pass back, allowed Fasanmade to run on and walk the ball into an empty net meaning five goals had been scored in a quarter of an hour.
The crowd were still treated to more action as Jeacock fumbled a shot from Owen-Evans but gathered at the second attempt.
Then in the fourth minute of stoppage time visiting manager Cook was shown a red card and ordered to run across the pitch to the stand accompanied by loud jeers from the Bluebird faithful.
FULL TIME: Chippenham Town 5-3 Gloucester City
Chippenham: Will Henry, Eddie Jones, Freddie Grant, Luke Haines, Dan Ellison, Nat Williams (Caine Bradbury 67), Tom Mehew, Luke Spokes, Tom Owen-Evans (Will King 88), Craig Fasanmade, Matt McClure (Aaron Amadi-Holloway 78) subs not used: Leighton Tuodolo, Sam Heal, Alex Avenell, Mal Nicholls
Gloucester: Zach Jeacock, Max Ram, Jamie Reckford, Elliott Durrell (Josh Smile 85), Joe Parker (Harry Emmett 46), Danny Wright (Ben Beresford 58), Liam Cross, Harry Pinchard, Ben Richards-Everton, Brandon Smalley subs not used: Liam Armstrong, Louis McGrory, Harry Leeson, Ty Duffus
Ref: Phillip Eddie
Ass Refs: James Welsh, Elliott Haddrell
4th Official: Said Ouchene
Att: 464
