MATCH REPORT: Dartford 2-0 Chippenham Town | National League South | Saturday 11th February 2023

A goal in each half saw the Bluebirds fall to defeat against second-placed Dartford  on a day when no side in the bottom eight recorded a single point.

It took Dartford only sixty-five seconds to open the scoring as Luke Coulston found Jack Smith who fired home.

A minute later Coulson’s shot was blocked by Will King. On six minutes a Coulson free kick was flicked on by Tom Bonner and the ball fell to Max Statham who failed to convert.

Chippenham’s first chance came on fourteen minutes but Alex Bray’s shot was easily held by Ben Dudzinski.

Eight minutes later Bray fashioned another chance but he shot wide. Statham then cleared from his own line to deny Bray a tap in.

Just past the half hour Samir Carruthers’ found Charlie Sheringham who played in Coulson who shot wide.

A Chippenham corner on thirty three minutes saw the ball fall to Joe Hanks who sliced wide.

Four minutes before the break a Dartford short corner ended with Statham glancing a header wide.

A minute later Carruthers found Coulson who fluffed his chance.

HALF TIME: Dartford 1-0 Chippenham Town

Dartford doubled their lead on fifty four minutes when the Bluebirds lost possession from a free kick and the ball was played through to Luke Allen who made no mistake.

Three minutes later Bray again cut in from the wing but he again he fired wide.

Luke Russe netted just past the hour but the assistant raised his flag for offside.

Midway through the half a scramble in the Dartmouth area saw Spencer Hamilton fire wide from close in.

A scramble in the box at the other end similarly saw a shot go past the post.

A mistake by Henry then gave Coulson a good chance but Henry redeemed himself by blocking the ball at the expense of a corner and Allen’s effort as deflected for another flag-kick.

Home substitute Pierre Fonkeu raced clear four minutes from time but Will Richards did well to block his shot.

FULL TIME: Dartford 2-0 Chippenham Town

Chippenham: Will Henry, Aaron Simpson, Will King, Spencer Hamilton, Will Richards, Luke Russe (Alfie Santos 83), Tom Mehew, Joe Hanks (Caine Bradbury 76), Matt McClure, Owen Windsor (Craig Fasanmade 66), Alex Bray subs not used: Callum Gunner, Will Tizzard

Dartford: Ben Dudzinski, Jordan Wynter, Samir Carruthers (Malachi Napa 74), Connor Essay, Tom Bonner, Luke Coulson, Luke Allen (Kieran Murtagh 80), Max Statham, Jack Smith, Charlie Sheringham (Pierre Fonkeu 53), Jamie Meade subs not used: Dan Wilks, Kristian Campbell

Ref: H. Wager