MATCH REPORT: Hemel Hempstead Town 1-1 Chippenham Town | National League South | Tuesday 21st February 2023

Match report of our away game against Hemel Hempstead Town.

Who says lightning never strikes twice, back in October 2022 the Tudors hit a ninety fourth (and last minute) winner from a corner at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium and on this occasion a debatable free kick awarded by referee Kirsty Dowle in front of the home bench, saw a scrappy ninety fourth (and last minute) equalizer to deny the Bluebirds the three points.

It was tough justice on the Bluebirds, in a match of few chances, especially in the opening forty five minutes when the only action of note saw Luke Russe twice fail to hit the target and Hemel’s Dominic Morgan-Griffiths shoot wide.

HALF TIME: Hemel Hempstead Town 0-0 Chippenham Town

After the break the game livened up as Hemel’s Josh Williams saw his effort gathered by Will Henry on forty eight minutes.

A minute later Joe Hanks was off target before he then made way for Tom Mehew.

Chippenham opened the scoring on fifty minutes as Caine Bradbury found former Tudor Craig Fasanmade who got between the centre backs to head home.

Josh Castiglione then had a shot blocked whilst midway through the half Matt McClure pulled the ball back but Russe was unable to get his shot away.

On seventy two minutes Will Henry was caught in possession by Luke Holness but the Tudors player slipped and was unable to capitalise.

Two minutes later Henry tipped a long range effort from Josh Williams over the bar.

On seventy six minutes Fasanmade appeared to be fouled in the area but nothing was given.

Nine minutes from time home substitute Arnold Matshazi had a shot blocked and a minute later the same player hit the side netting.

Henry then did well to save another shot whilst a free kick at the other end saw Bradbury just fail to hit the target.

In the final minute a Hemel corner saw the unmarked Matshazi head over.

Then came the stoppage time leveller as Holness’s header appeared to take at least one deflection before entering the net.

FULL TIME: Hemel Hempstead Town 1-1 Chippenham Town

Chippenham: Will Henry, Spencer Hamilton, Aaron Simpson, Will Tizzard, Will Richards, Luke Russe, Tom Mehew, Joe Hanks (Tom Mehew 49), Caine Bradbury, Alex Bray, Craig Fasanmade, Matt McClure (Owen Windsor 75) subs not used: Alfie Santos, Joe Parker, Will King

Hemel Hempstead: Craig King, Josh Castiglione, Josh Williams, Godfrey Poke (Luke Holness 66), Jack Westbrook (Jeremy Mukendi 66), Kyle Ajayi, Dominic Morgan-Griffiths, Charlee Hughes, Kaylen Hinds (Arnold Matshazi 45), Kory Roberts subs not used: Bayley Brown, Kane Lewis

Ref: Kirsty Dowle

Match report by Wil Hulbert